Dexanabinol derivatives and their use as neuroprotective pharmaceutical compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or alleviating neurotoxicity. Said pharmaceutical compositions comprise as their active ingredient the stereospecific (+) enantiomers, having (3S,4S) configuration, of Δ 6  -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) type compounds of general formula (I), as defined hereinbelow. ##STR1##

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/192,886, filed Feb. 7, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,215, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/865,088, filed Apr. 8, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,867, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/609,588, filed Nov. 6, 1990, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or alleviating neurotoxicity. Said pharmaceutical compositions comprise as their active ingredient the stereospecific (+) enantiomers, having (3S,4S) configuration, of Δ⁶ -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) type compounds of general formula (I), as defined hereinbelow. ##STR2##

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chronic degenerative changes, as well as delayed or secondary neuronal damage following direct injury to the central nervous system (CNS), may result from pathologic changes in the brain's endogenous neurochemical systems. Although the precise mechanisms mediating secondary damage are poorly understood, post-traumatic neurochemical changes may include overactivation of neurotransmitter release or re-uptake, changes in presynaptic or postsynaptic receptor binding, or the pathologic release or synthesis of endogenous factors. The identification and characterization of these factors and of the timing of the neurochemical cascade after CNS injury provides a window of opportunity for treatment with pharmacologic agents that modify synthesis, release, receptor binding, or physiologic activity with subsequent attenuation of neuronal damage and improvement in outcome. A number of studies have suggested that modification of post-injury events through pharmacologic intervention can promote functional recovery in both a variety of animal models and clinical CNS injury. Pharmacologic manipulation of endogenous systems by such diverse pharmacologic agents as anticholinergics, excitatory amino acid antagonists, endogenous opioid antagonists, catecholamines, serotonin antagonists, modulators of arachidonic acid, antioxidants and free radical scavengers, steroid and lipid peroxidation inhibitors, platelet activating factor antagonists, anion exchange inhibitors, magnesium, gangliosides, and calcium channel antagonists have all been suggested to potentially improve functional outcome after brain injury (McIntosh, J. Neurotrauma 10: 215-243, 1993).

The pathogenesis of a diverse group of neurological disorders has been linked to excessive activation of excitatory amino acid receptors. These disorders include epilepsy, focal and global ischemia, CNS trauma, and various forms of neurodegeneration including Huntington's chorea, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. There has been extensive effort invested in the development of excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists as therapeutic agents (Rogawski, M. A., Trends in Pharmacol. Sci. 14: 325-331, 1993).

Since no proven effective therapy for neuronal injury, or degeneration, is yet known, and, for example, stroke alone is one of the leading causes of death in many countries, the importance of finding such therapeutic NMDA antagonists is self-evident. It will be important to determine whether certain NMDA antagonists are more effective--or have fewer side effects--than others in specific disease states.

Some of the compounds of general formula (I) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,179,517 and 4,876,276. As disclosed in said U.S. patents, these essentially pure synthetic (+)-(3S,4S)-THC derivatives and analogues are devoid of any undesired cannabimimetic psychotropic side-effects. These known compounds have been described as having analgesic, antiemetic and antiglaucoma activity.

The inventors have now found that the said known compounds, as well as some novel compounds, in addition to having said analgesic, antiemetic and anti-glaucoma activity, are also effective against the diseases and conditions mentioned above, possibly as excitatory amino acid receptor blockers, for example NMDA- or glutamate-blockers or interaction with the glycine receptor, and are effective in the alleviation and treatment of many of the abnormal states involving said neurotransmitter mediated toxicity. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,867 and the disclosure hereinbelow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compositions of the present invention are particularly effective in alleviating and even preventing glutamate neurotoxicity due to acute injuries to the central nervous system (CNS), such as injuries due to prolonged seizures, compromised or reduced blood supply, deprivation of glucose supply and mechanical trauma. The present compositions are also effective in alleviating other damages to the CNS like poison-induced convulsions, considered to be associated with amino acid receptors other than that of glutamate, for example glycine.

The compositions of the present invention may also be effective in the treatment of certain chronic degenerative diseases which are characterized by gradual selective neuronal loss. In this connection, the compositions of the present invention are contemplated as therapeutically effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The present compositions are of special value in grand mal seizures, global hypoxic ischemic insults, in hypoxia, alone or in combination with blood flow reduction (ischemia), as well as in cases of cardiac arrest and in cases of abrupt occlusion of cerebral arteries (stroke).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows concentration dependence of dexanabinol blockade of NMDA-induced toxicity in cultured neurons

FIG. 2 shows inhibition of [3H]MK-801 binding to rat forebrain membranes by dexanabinol.

FIG. 3 shows rescue of neurons in culture from injury caused by sodium nitroprusside.

FIG. 4 shows the improvement in neurological scores after middle cerebral artery occlusion is accelerated by dexanabinol.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show decreased infarct area caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion after dexanabinol treatment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the effect of dexanabinol on motor function of traumatized rats.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the reduction of edema formation in traumatized rats treated with dexanabinol.

FIG. 8 shows the effect of dexanabinol on BBB disruption following head trauma.

FIG. 9 shows that dexanabinol reduces the immediate injury induced deficit in metabolic activity following CNS injury.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show the long-term beneficial effect of dexanabinol manifested electrophysiologically following CNS injury.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions to reduce or even prevent excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity, due to acute injury or poisoning of the CNS, such as injuries due to prolonged seizures, compromised or reduced blood supply, deprivation of glucose supply and mechanical trauma, and poisonings by, for example, strychnine, picrotoxin or organophosphorus compounds.

The compositions of the present invention may also be effective in treating certain chronic degenerative diseases which are characterized by gradual selective neuronal loss. In this connection, the compositions of the present invention are contemplated as therapeutically effective in the treatment of Huntington's chorea, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

As stated above, the present compositions are of special value in seizures, global hypoxic ischemic insults, in hypoxia, alone or in combination with blood flow reduction (ischemia) as well as in cases of cardiac arrest and in cases of abrupt occlusion of cerebral arteries (stroke).

One aspect of the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the purposes set out above, in which the active ingredient is a compound of the general formula: ##STR3## having the (3S,4S) configuration and being essentially free of the (3R,4R) enantiomer, wherein A--B indicates an optional 1(2) or 6(l) double bond,

R is (a) --Q wherein Q is a heterocyclic moiety having a labile hydrogen atom so that said moiety acts as a carboxylic acid analogue, (b) --R³ X wherein R³ is C1-C5 alkyl and X is halogen, --OR' wherein R' is C1-C5 alkyl, or --OC(O)R'" wherein R'" is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl, (c) --R³ N(R")2 wherein R³ is as defined above and each R", which may be the same or different, is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl which may optionally contain a terminal --OR'" or --OC(O)R'" moiety wherein R'" is as defined above, (d) --R⁵ wherein R⁵ is C2-C5 alkyl, or, when A--B is absent, (e) --R³ OR'" wherein R³ and R'" are as defined above,

G is (a) a halogen, (b) C1-C5 alkyl, (c) --OR" wherein R" is as previously defined, or (d) --OC(O)R'" wherein R'" is as previously defined, and

R² is (a) C1-C12 alkyl, (b) --OR"", in which R"" is a straight chain or branched C2-C9 alkyl which may be substituted at the terminal carbon atom by a phenyl group, or (c) --(CH2)nOR'" wherein n is an integer of 1 to 7 and R'" is as previously defined, and

pharmaceutically acceptable salts or quaternary ammonium derivatives thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the purposes set out above, in which the active ingredient is a compound of the same general formula ##STR4## having the (3S, 4S) configuration and being essentially free of the (3R,4R) enantiomer, wherein A--B indicates an optional 1(2) or 6(1) double bond. In this embodiment of the invention, however

R is --R³ X wherein R³ is C1-C5 alkyl and X is (a) --OC(O)--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ is a linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, or heterocyclyl radical, or a mono- or polyhydroxylated or -halogenated derivative of said radicals and Y is --H, --OH, --C(O)O⁻ B⁺, --SO₃ ⁻ B⁺, or --OPO₃ ²⁻ (B⁺)₂ wherein B⁺ is a cation of an alkali metal or ammonia or is an organic ammonium cation, --N (R'")₂.AH, --N(R'")₃ ⁺ A⁻, or a cyclic nitrogen radical selected from the group consisting of ##STR5## wherein R'" is as defined above, D is CH₂, O, or NR'", (B⁺)₂ may additionally be an alkaline earth metal cation, and A is a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic anion, (b) --OC(O)O--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above, (c) --OC(O)NH--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above, (d) --OC(O)--R4ZR4Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above and Z is O, S, SO, SO₂, or NH, (e) --C(NH₂ ⁺)--R4A⁻ wherein R⁴ and A are as defined above, (f) --OPO₃ ²⁻ (B⁺)₂ wherein B⁺ is as defined above, or (g) --OH,

G is (a) a halogen, (b) C1-C5 alkyl, or (c) --OR³ X wherein R³ and X are as defined above, with the proviso that X in the definition of G may not --OH when X in the definition of R is --OH, and

R² is as defined above, and

pharmaceutically acceptable salts or quaternary ammonium derivatives thereof.

Those skilled in the art are well aware of the wide variety of organic and inorganic acids and bases that may be used to make pharmaceutically acceptable salts of pharmacologically active compounds. Such acids include, without limitation, hydrofluoric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, citric, succinic, maleic, and palmitic acids. The bases include such compounds as sodium and ammonium hydroxides. Likewise, those skilled in the art are familiar with quaternizing agents that can be used to make pharmaceutically acceptable quaternary ammonium derivatives of pharmacologically active compounds. These include without limitation methyl and ethyl iodides and sulfates.

In a currently preferred group of compounds, R² designates a 1,1-dimethylalkyl radical or a 1,2-dimethylalkyl radical with a total of at least 7 carbon atoms. Also preferred are precursors of such compounds. Particularly preferred compounds are those wherein R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl or 1,2-dimethylheptyl. It is these embodiments of R² that are found in THC and its analogues. However, for the neuroprotective activity that characterizes the present invention, it is believed that any lower or mid-range alkyl substituent will be suitable at this position.

One group of preferred specific compounds falling within the ambit of the present invention is the group of compounds of formula (I) wherein R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl, G is --OH, and R is R³ X wherein R³ is methylene and X is --OC(O)CH₂ NH₂.HCl, --OC(O)CH₂ N(CH₃)₂.HCl, --OC(O)CH₂ N(C₂ H₅)₂.HCl, --OC(O)CH₂ N(CH₃)₃ ⁺ Br⁻, --OC (O) CH₂ N(C₂ H₅)₃ ⁺ Br⁻, morpholinoacetyloxy (hydrobromide), morpholinoacetyloxy quaternized with methyliodide, ω-morpholinobutyroyloxy (hydrobromide), ω-morpholinobutyroyloxy quaternized with methyliodide, N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy (dihydrobromide), N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy diquaternized with methyliodide, ω-(N-methylpiperazino)butyroyloxy (dihydrobromide), nicotinoyloxy (hydrochloride), nicotinoyloxy quaternized with methylchlorate, succinoyloxy (monoammonium salt), maleoyloxy (monoammonium salt), phthaloyloxy (monoammonium salt), 2-quinolinoyloxy (monoammonium salt), acetyloxy, bromoacetyloxy, trifluoroacetyloxy, or disodium phosphoroyloxy. Another group of preferred specific compounds falling within the ambit of the present invention is the group of compounds of formula (I) wherein R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl, R is --CH₂ OH, and G is ω-morpholinobutyroyloxy (hydrobromide), N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy (dihydrobromide), N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy diquaternized with methyliodide, or disodium phosphoroyloxy. Currently the most preferred compounds are those described in the Synthetic Examples herein.

A archetypical compound, with which many physiological experiments have been carried out, is the compound which may be referred to as the (+)-(3S,4S)-1,1-dimethylheptyl homolog of 7-hydroxy-Δ⁶ -tetrahydrocannabinol. Said compound, which was formerly referred to as HU-211, is designated hereinafter by the trivial chemical name "dexanabinol".

It is stressed that all the compounds are of the (+)-(3S,4S) configuration, essentially free of the (-)-(3R,4R) enantiomer, the latter known to possess the undesired psychotropic side-effects. Thus, for example, the enantiomers of the 1,1-dimethyl homolog of the synthetic cannabinoid 7-hydroxy-Δ⁶ -tetrahydrocannabinol have been described [Mechoulam, R., et al., Tetrahedron:Asymmetry 1: 315-319, 1990; Mechoulam, R. et al., Experientia 44: 762-764, 1988]. The (-)-(3R,4R) enantiomer, herein designated HU-210, is a highly potent cannabimimetic compound (nearly 100 times more active than Δ-1-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component of hashish). The (+)-(3S,4S) enantiomer, herein designated dexanabinol, while known to be active as an analgesic and as an anti-emetic, is inactive as a cannabimimetic even at doses several thousand times higher than the ED50 of HU-210 (Mechoulam, R. et al., Experientia 44: 762-764, 1988).

As mentioned above, then, the compounds of the general formula (I) as defined herein are substantially devoid of cannabimimetic central nervous system activity.

Pharmacology The novel compositions contain in addition to the active ingredient conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and the like. Solid compositions for oral administration such as tablets, pills, capsules or the like may be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with conventional, pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients such as corn starch, lactose, sucrose, sorbitol, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate and gums with pharmaceutically acceptable diluents. The tablets or pills can be coated or otherwise compounded with pharmaceutically acceptable materials known in the art to provide a dosage form affording prolonged action or sustained release. Other solid compositions can be prepared as suppositories, for rectal administration. Liquid forms may be prepared for oral administration or for injection, the term including subcutaneous, transdermal, intravenous, intrathecal, and other parenteral routes of administration. The liquid compositions include aqueous solutions, with or without organic cosolvents, aqueous or oil suspensions, flavored emulsions with edible oils, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. In addition, the compositions of the present invention may be formed as aerosols, for intranasal and like administration.

The active dose for humans is generally in the range of from 0.05 mg to about 50 mg per kg body weight, in a regimen of 1-4 times a day. However, administration every two days may also be possible, as the drug has a rather prolonged action. The preferred range of dosage is from 0.1 mg to about 20 mg per kg body weight. However, it is evident to the man skilled in the art that dosages would be determined by the attending physician, according to the disease to be treated, method of administration, patient's age, weight, contraindications and the like.

All the compounds defined above are effective NMDA-receptor blockers and can be used as active ingredients of pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of one, or simultaneously several, symptoms of the disorders defined above. The effective dosages are essentially similar, and the more pronounced effect is that of NMDA-receptor blocking, in addition to the known characteristics of these compounds. However, it is important to note that the compounds and compositions of the present invention exhibit good blocking activity also against convulsants which may not necessarily be NMDA-receptor mediators. For example, the compositions of the present invention can prevent, or at least alleviate, poisoning caused by strychnine, organophosphorus compounds and nitrous oxide.

The compounds of the present invention are administered for the above defined purposes in conventional pharmaceutical forms, with the required solvents, diluents, excipients, etc. to produce a physiologically acceptable formulation. They can be administered by any of the conventional routes of administration. The required dose for humans ranges from 0.005 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg per unit dosage form. The most preferred dose range is from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg body weight.

It will be appreciated that the most appropriate administration of the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention will depend on the type of injury or disease being treated. Thus, the treatment of acute head trauma, stroke or ischemic brain damage resulting from cardiac arrest will necessitate systemic administration of the drug as rapidly as possible after induction of the injury. On the other hand, diminution or prophylaxis of chronic degenerative damage will necessitate a sustained dosage regimen.

Dexanabinol conveys significant neuroprotection in different models of head trauma, global brain ischemia and crushed optic nerve. This suggests neuroprotective potential in a wide spectrum of CNS diseases, poisonings or injuries, as detailed above, including conditions involving axonal damage such as that sustained in spinal cord injury. Dexanabinol is also particularly useful in treating neural edema, associated with trauma, infection, tumors or surgical procedures including craniotomies and spinal cord manipulation.

Moreover, the combined neuroprotective properties of dexanabinol, as well as the known anti-glaucoma properties of this class of compounds, leads to special consideration of retinal eye diseases, especially those which are associated with ischemic damage or a hostile biochemical environment.

The following are some major ocular disease groups that should be considered candidates for dexanabinol therapy:

(1) Diabetic retinopathy which stems mainly from altered retinal capillary circulation that renders the retina ischemic.

(2) Age-related Macular Degeneration which is associated with slow deterioration of the retinal pigment epithelium that eventually leads to retinal cell death and tissue alterations.

(3) Retinal vascular occlusions that are relatively common and may cause considerable ischemic damage. All retinal occlusions, venous and arterial, including the optic nerve (ischemic optic neuropathy), as well as retinopathy of prematurity (oxygen toxicity in premature babies), may be included in this category.

(4) Any insult that may lead to secondary neural damage following direct retinal cell death, e.g. trauma, including surgical trauma such as laser burn injuries, inflammations, infections and degenerative processes.

(5) Chronic ischemic damage, including glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

(6) Toxic damage (e.g., chloroquine toxicity) and chronic malnutrition.

The invention also relates to methods of treatment of the various pathological conditions described above, by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compositions of the present invention. The term administration as used herein encompasses oral, parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, intrathecal, rectal and intranasal administration.

The inventors have discovered that dexanabinol and the compounds of formula (I), as well as the novel monoesters which are preferred active agents of the presently claimed compositions, at doses in excess of 25 mg/kg body weight, induce stereotypy, locomotor hyperactivity and tachycardia effects typically caused by NMDA-receptor antagonists. At considerably lower doses of about 2.5 mg/kg body weight, they are potent blockers of NMDA-induced tremor, seizure and lethality (Feigenbaum et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S., 86: 9584-9587, 1989). Thus, a good separation has been achieved between the therapeutic effects (NMDA antagonism) and possible side effects (such as tachycardia). Binding studies show that dexanabinol blocks NMDA receptors in a stereospecific manner, and that the interaction occurs at binding site(s) distinct from those of some other non-competitive NMDA antagonists or of glutamate and glycine. This, and the other compounds according to formula (I), may therefore prove useful as non-psychoactive drugs that protect against NMDA-receptor- mediated neurotoxicity.

It was shown previously that the pharmacological profile of dexanabinol, and some other compounds constituting the active ingredients of the present compositions, includes the induction of stereotypy, locomotor hyperactivity and tachycardia in mice (Feigenbaum et al., 1989 ibid.). These properties are consistent with those of non-competitive antagonists of the NMDA sub-class of glutamate receptors, and suggest that these compounds are active NMDA-receptor antagonists. This possibility was explored by examining the activity of the compounds in protecting against the tremorogenic, convulsive and lethal effects of NMDA and NMDA agonists in mice. Such effects are counteracted by virtually all NMDA antagonists and, as expected, NMDA neurotoxicity was indeed blocked by dexanabinol (Feigenbaum et al., 1989, ibid.).

Test systems Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of dexanabinol and its analogs has now been carried out in a series of experimental systems of increasing sophistication to support the utility of these drugs as neuroprotectants. The neuroprotective effects have been evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. These neuroprotective effects have been corroborated in the following systems:

(a) Binding to the NMDA receptor linked channel: Non competitive antagonists of NMDA, the primary example of which is the compound MK-801, bind to a site within the NMDA receptor channel thus preventing the activation of the receptor-channel complex and the consequent neurotoxicity. The ability of various compounds to compete with the binding of tritium labeled MK-801 to brain membranes is considered a measure of their potency as NMDA non-competitive antagonists.

(b) Blockage of NMDA toxicity in tissue culture: Neurons can be grown in culture and survive for several weeks. Application of NMDA to neuronal cultures results in toxicity to the neurons: microscopic viewing of the cultures shows reduced cell density and changes in the shape and staining properties of surviving neurons, and the metabolic activity in the cultures is greatly reduced, as assessed by reduction in the formation of a colored product from chemicals sensitive to the mitochondrial metabolic enzymes. The ability of various compounds to prevent the morphological and metabolic changes induced by NMDA is considered a measure of their neuroprotective activity in culture.

(c) Protection against hypobaric anoxia in mice: Exposure of mice to a hypobaric (200 mmHg) atmosphere reduces the amount of oxygen available to the animals and results in death within 1-2 minutes in untreated mice. Pretreatment with compounds that can counteract the effects of oxygen deprivation prolong (double or more) the survival time of mice subjected to this treatment. The increase in survival time is a measure of the potency of the compounds in counteracting anoxic damage in vivo.

(d) Improved clinical outcome after closed head injury in rats: Severe head injury is associated with high mortality and severe neurological impairment. Animals subjected to head trauma in a controlled fashion serve as models in which to test drugs of therapeutic potential. Test compounds can be evaluated both for improved clinical outcome and for reduction of edema induced by closed head injury. The ability of compounds to reduce the severity of neurological symptoms and to reduce brain edema is considered a measure of their potency in reducing brain damage.

(e) Inhibition of ischemic neuronal damage in gerbils: Temporary blockage of the blood supply to the gerbil brain by surgical ligation of the two major arteries (common carotids) results in transient global forebrain ischemia. Temporary global ischemia produces a delayed, selective degeneration of neurons in the hippocampus, a brain structure essential for memory formation. The ability of various compounds to prevent. hippocampal cell loss and the attendant memory deficits is considered a measure of their potency as neuroprotectants in ischemic conditions.

(f) Optic nerve crush: Application of mechanical pressure to the optical nerve results in crush injury of the axons, which is accompanied by immediate changes in oxidative metabolism and delayed axonal death, which in turn is expressed in reduction of the compound action potential measurable from the nerve and loss of response to visual stimuli (blindness). The ability of various compounds to prevent the loss in metabolic activity, compound action potential and visually evoked potential is considered a measure of their potency in preventing the results of traumatic injury to axons.

(g) Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO): The middle cerebral artery is the cerebral blood vessel most susceptible to stroke in humans. In animals, coagulation, permanent ligation or permanent placement of an occluding thread in the artery produces a permanent focal stroke affecting the MCA territory. Transient ligation or occlusion results in transient focal stroke. Both transient and permanent focal strokes result in varying degrees of edema and infarction in the affected brain regions. The ability of compounds to reduce the volumes of edema and infarction is considered a measure of their potential as anti-stroke treatment.

(h) Four vessel occlusion (4VO) in rats: The blood supply to the rat brain arrives via the two vertebral and two common carotid arteries. Transient occlusion of all four vessels results in global ischemia, as would occur during cardiac arrest in humans. Global ischemia results in neurological deficits, including short term memory deficits, and a selective loss of neurons in the CA1 field of the hippocampus. The ability of compounds to reduce the neurological deficits and increase neuronal survival in this model is considered indicative of their potential in preventing brain damage related to cardiac arrest.

Each of these systems represents an aspect of neurotoxicity which is amenable to intervention by pharmaceutical agents that bind to the NMDA receptor. It is likely that the compounds of the present invention exert their demonstrated neuroprotective effects by virtue of their ability to bind to the NMDA receptor. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that their activity is mediated by other receptors or additional mechanisms.

The prototype drug used for evaluation of NMDA blocking activity is the compound MK-801, which is a potent and selective NMDA antagonist that cannot be used as a human therapeutic agent due to its toxicity. We have evaluated the similarities and differences between the biological activities of MK-801 and dexanabinol, as summarized in Table 1. This evaluation clearly supports the concept that dexanabinol is not acting solely as an NMDA antagonist. Rather the therapeutic effects of dexanabinol may be attributable to additional mechanisms including antioxidant and radical scavenger properties, anticholinergic action, platelet activating factor antagonism, modulation of arachidonic acid, or inhibition of lipid peroxidation, among others. All of these types of pharmacologic agents have been suggested to potentially improve functional outcome after brain injury. All of these mechanisms may be involved in delayed, secondary or chronic neuronal damage following injury to the CNS (McIntosh, J. Neurotrauma 20: 215-243, 1993).

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Properties of Dexanabinol and MK-801: Similarities and differences             Assay (biological activity)                                                                   dexan abino I MK-801                                            ______________________________________                                         oil/water partition                                                                           very lipophilic                                                                              water soluble                                     Binding to NMDA receptor                                                                      yes (low affinity)                                                                           yes (high affinity)                               channel                                                                        Binding to muscarinic                                                                         yes           no                                                receptors                                                                      Binding to kainate/AMPA                                                                       no            no                                                receptors                                                                      Blockade of NMDA toxicity                                                                     yes           yes                                               in culture                                                                     Blockade of quisqualate                                                                       partial       no                                                toxicity in culture                                                            Blockade of NMDA induced                                                                      yes           yes                                               Ca uptake                                                                      Blockade of NO (SNP*)                                                                         yes           no                                                toxicity                                                                       Analgesia in mice                                                                             yes           no                                                Blockade of emesis in pigeons                                                                 yes           (not tested)                                      Behavioral toxicity in mice                                                                   low (high doses only)                                                                        high                                              Protection against global                                                                     yes           yes                                               ischemia in gerbils (CCAo)                                                     Protection against global                                                                     yes           no                                                ischemia in rats (4VO)                                                         Protection against closed head                                                                yes           poor (toxic)                                      injury in rats                                                                 ______________________________________                                          SNP = sodium nitroprusside, a generator of nitrous oxide (NO).           

Compounds Experiments have shown that the (+)-(3S,4S) the compound of formula I wherein A--B designates a 6(1) double bond, R is methyl, R1 is hydrogen, and R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl and the compound of formulas I wherein A--B designates a 1(2) double bond, R is methyl, R1 is hydrogen, and R2 is 1,1-dimethylheptyl, both said compounds being essentially free of the (-)-(3R,4R) enantiomer, have practically the same activity as that of the compound designated dexanabinol. The former compound is designated compound Vb in U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,517; the latter compound is compound XIb therein.

In addition it has been found that some novel compounds of general formula (I), wherein R designates CH20R' and R' designates an acyl group also have the desired anti-glutamate or glycine-associated activity. These novel compounds may be prepared, for example, by esterification of compounds of general formula (I) wherein R designates CH20H and R1 is hydrogen, under conditions which favor the formation of the desired monoesters with relatively high yield.

Among the novel compounds tested, monoesters including nicotinate, succinate, and maleate are preferred. Most preferred compounds include the glycinate ester and N-substituted glycinate ester salts, such as the trimethyl- and triethylammonium acetate derivatives of dexanabinol. These novel compounds have the added advantage of being soluble in some aqueous solutions, whereas the parent compounds are extremely hydrophobic.

The highly lipophilic character of dexanabinol enables the compound to enter the central nervous system, as it readily passes the blood-brain barrier. However, the high lipid solubility is also associated with very poor solubility in water. This makes the development of formulations suitable for intravenous administration of dexanabinol difficult, hampering its clinical application. Water-soluble derivatives of dexanabinol designed to readily release the drug by hydrolysis following i.v. administration might overcome this problem and will be used as prodrugs. On the other hand, if the obtained derivatives are hydrolytically stable but possess intrinsic biological activity they could be used as easy-to-formulate analogs (congeners) possessing significant NMDA antagonist activity.

The novel derivatives are obtained by the attachment of polar or permanent charge bearing groups to the allylic (C-7) or phenolic (C-3') hydroxylic functionalities of dexanabinol, the two sites suitable for reversible structural modification, through a carboxylic ester or phosphate linkage.

The allylic hydroxyl group at the C-7 position of dexanabinol is more reactive than the sterically hindered phenolic C-3' group. Due to this difference in reactivity, the acylation of dexanabinol occurred preferentially at the allylic hydroxyl group, although small amounts of phenolic esters generally contaminated the products. Reaction of dexanabinol with N-protected (t-BOC) glycine in a mixture of acetonitrile-dimethylformamide in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) gave the 7'-(N-t-BOC) glycyl ester of dexanabinol which was purified by column chromatography. The t-BOC protecting group was removed by hydrochloric acid in ethyl acetate solution affording the HCl salt of the glycyl ester of dexanabinol in pure form (scheme I). ##STR6##

Several N,N-disubstituted derivatives of 3 were synthesized via the 7-bromoacetyl dexanabinol which was obtained by acylation of dexanabinol with bromoacetic anhydride in toluene followed by chromatographic column purification (scheme II). ##STR7##

Reaction of 7-bromoacetyl dexanabinol with dimethylamine in hexane, produced the N,N-dimethylglycinate. The hydrochloride salt thereof was obtained by the treatment of the free base with ethanolic HCl. In a similar manner, the N,N-diethylglycyl dexanabinol and its hydrochloride salt were prepared. Two dexanabinol esters bearing permanent charges, the trimethylammoniumacetyl bromide and the triethylammoniumacetyl bromide were obtained by reacting the 7-bromoacetyl derivative with trimethylamine and triethylamine, respectively, in pyridine.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention and these are to be construed in a non-limitative manner.

Synthetic Example 1 (6aS-trans)-6,6-dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a, 7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methyl hemisuccinate

1 a. Dexanabinol Hemisuccinate Triethylammonium Salt.

1.95 g dexanabinol (0.005 mol) was dissolved in 50 ml of dry toluene and 0.51 g succinic anhydride (0.005 mol), dissolved in 50 ml toluene, was added to dexanabinol solution. The mixture was placed into round-bottom flask, equipped with condenser, and refluxed 6 h. 700 mcl (0.5 g, 0.005 mol) of triethylamine was added, and mixture was refluxed overnight. The reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) on fluorescent labeled silica-gel plates, mobile phase--toluene:acetone 1:3. After complete elimination of dexanabinol (Rf=0.86) in the reaction mixture organic solvent was completely evaporated with the aid of a rotatory evaporator (50 mmHg, 60° C). The residue was dissolved in 20 ml of diethylether and 20 ml n-heptane, and evaporated to dryness again, this stage was repeated twice for complete evacuation of toluene. The triethylammonium salt of dexanabinol hemisuccinate was obtained as slightly yellowish viscous oil, yield is about 98%.

1 b. Dexanabinol Hemisuccinate Free Acid.

The triethylammonium salt of dexanabinol hemisuccinate was dissolved in 100 ml 2% water solution of tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane with the help of sonication (30 minutes) or wrist-shaker (2 hours), and poured into 500 ml cold solution of 2% HCl in water with intensive stirring. Sedimented dexanabinol hemisuccinate free acid was collected, rinsed 3-5 times with pure water until the pH value of the wash rose to pH 4-5. The viscous product (water content about 60%) was collected and dissolved in 30.0 ml of diethyl ether. The solution was then dried for 24 h using large quantities of anhydrous Na2SO4 or MgSO4, protected from light. After evaporation of the organic solvent in a rotary evaporator, a yellowish-orange, dry dexanabinol hemisuccinate-free acid was obtained (yield about 65%). It is hygroscopic and must be stored refrigerated in a tightly closed vial.

Dexanabinol hemisuccinate is an orange-yellow solid material, which is soluble in methanol, acetonitrile, and partially soluble in water. An average (n=5) melting point range of 50.3-62.7° C. was observed for dexanabinol hemisuccinate using a Haake Buchler melting point apparatus (S/N 17681B-77).

An infrared spectrum of dexanabinol hemisuccinate (prepared as a KBr pellet) was obtained on a Perkin-Elmer Model 1600 FTIR (SN 134707). The infrared spectrum is consistent with the assigned structure. Interpretation of the FT-IR spectrum of dexanabinol hemisuccinate: IR(KBr,v,cm-1): 3424 and 3226(2x v OH), 2961(vas CH3), 2826(vas CH2), 2894(vs CH3), 2868(vs CH2), 1736(vs C=0), 1719(vs C=0), 1625(v C═C, olefin), 1578(phenyl nucleus), 1459(d CH3), 1415,1384 and 1371(gem. dimethyl), 1267(vas C-0-C), 1186(vs C-0-C), 1085(v C-0 phenol), 968(g CH, Ar), 839(g CH, olefin). The UV spectrum of dexanabinol hemisuccinate was recorded (as a 2.58×10-4M solution in methanol) on a Shimadzu UV-160 spectrophotometer (S/N 1235621). The UV spectrum of the dexanabinol hemisuccinate sample prepared in methanol is consistent with the assigned structure (log e276.0=3.09 and log e282.0=3.10).

Synthetic Example 2 7-(N-t-BOC-glycyl) dexanabinol

To a solution of dexanabinol (1.00 g, 2.59 mmol) in acetonitrile (20 mL) and dimethylformamide (5 mL) were added N-t-BOC-glycine (0.544 g, 3.10 mmol), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.64 g, 3.10 mmol) and dimethylaminopyridine (0.025 g, 0.2 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred under anhydrous conditions at 22-25° C. for 3 days. The precipitated dicyclohexylurea was filtered, the solution was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was purified by chromatography. Silica gel: Aldrich, 200-425 mesh, 40/3 cm: eluted successively with hexane, 2% and 4% ethyl acetate in hexane (200 mL each) and 6% ethyl acetate in hexane (1500 mL) to give 0.55 g (40%) of the title compound (purity according to HPLC peak area: 99.3%). By recrystallization (nitromethane) of a second fraction (91% purity) was determined to give a total yield of 70% of pure compound (>99%), m.p. 110-112° C.

Synthetic Example 3 7-Glycyl dexanabinol hydrochloride

A solution of the compound of Synthetic Example 2 (0.35 g, 0.64 mmol) in 2 N hydrochloric acid in ethyl acetate (3 mL) was stirred at 20-25° C. for 10 min. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue slurried with ethyl ether (5 mL) and dried affording 0.28 g (90% yield) of the title compound as an off-white solid; (HPLC peak area): 97.7%.

Synthetic Example 4 7-Bromoacetyl dexanabinol

To a solution of dexanabinol (0.100 g, 0.26 mmol) in toluene (6 mL) was added bromoacetic anhydride (0.118 g, 0.45 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at 20-25° C. for 48 h. The organic solution was extracted with water (2×2 mL) then dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated. The residue was purified by chromatography (silica gel: Aldrich, Merck grade 60, 230-400 mesh, 32/2 cm; elution with hexane, then hexane and gradually increased concentrations of ethyl acetate from 0 to 6%) yielding 0.123 g (93.4% yield) of the title compound as an oil. Purity according the HPLC peak area: 96.8%.

Synthetic Example 5 7-Dimethylaminoacetyl dexanabinol (5)

To a solution of 7-bromoacetyl dexanabinol (0.119 g, 0.24 mmol) in hexane (6 mL) degassed with argon was added dimethylamine (gas) and the mixture was stirred for 2 h at 20-25° C. The precipitated dimethylamine bromide was filtered off and the solution was evaporated to dryness and the resulting residue slurried with hexane (3×2 mL). After drying, 0.01 g (yield 90%) of 7-dimethylaminoacetyl dexanabinol was obtained, m.p. 110-112° C.; purity (HPLC peak area): 99.6%.

The hydrochloride salt of 7-dimethylaminoacetyl dexanabinol was prepared by adding a solution of HCl in ether to a solution of that compound in ether followed by filtering and rinsing the resulting solid with ether.

Synthetic Example 6 7-Diethylaminoacetyl dexanabinol (6)

To a solution of 7-bromoacetyl dexanabinol (0.178 g, 0.34 mmol) in hexane (6 mL) degassed with argon was added diethylamine (2 mL, 1.41 g, 1.9 mmol) and the mixture was stirred for 4 h at 20-25° C. The precipitated diethylamine hydrobromide was filtered off, the solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue slurried with hexane (3×2 mL). After drying (temperature below 50° C.), 0.160 g of 7-diethylaminoacetyl dexanabinol (yield 94%) resulted as an off white solid, m.p. 128-130° C.; purity (HPLC peak area); 98.4%.

The hydrochloride salt of 7-diethylaminoacetyl dexanabinol was prepared by adding a solution of HCl in ether to a solution of that compound in ether followed by filtering and rinsing the resulting solid with ether.

Synthetic Example 7 Dexanabinol 7-acetyl trimethylammonium bromide (7)

To a solution of 7-bromoacetyl dexanabinol (0.81 g, 1.60 mmol) in hexane (15 mL) placed in a closed system under argon, trimethylamine (gas) was added at 20-25° C. The resulting mixture was stirred for 18 h at 20-25° C. then the precipitate was filtered, and rinsed with hexane. After drying in vacuo, 0.89 g (yield 89%) of crude dexanabinol 7-acetyl trimethylammonium bromide was obtained. Purification (slurry with 3×15 mL cold ether) yielded 0.49 g (54.3%) of pure compound. Purity (HPLC peak area): 98.1%, m.p. 178-180° C.

Synthetic Example 8 Dexanabinol 7-acetyl triethylammonium bromide (8)

To a solution of 7-bromoacetyl dexanabinol (0.081 g, 0.16 mmol) in toluene (45 mL) was added triethylamine (5 mL, 3.6 g, 0.035 mmol) and the mixture was stirred under argon atmosphere for 3 days at 20-25° C. The precipitated salt was filtered off and the solution was evaporated to dryness. The residue was slurried with toluene (3×5 mL) to afford 0.092 g (95% yield) of dexanabinol 7-acetyl triethylammonium bromide. Purity (HPLC): 94%.

Synthetic Example 9 Dexanabinol-7-Hydrogen Maleate

A solution of dexanabinol (100.0 mg, 0.26 mmol), maleic anhydride (29.4 mg, 0.30 mmol) and pyridine (24.3 mL, 0.30 mmol) in toluene (1.0 mL) was stirred under argon at 25° C. for 24 h. The solution was poured into ice-water (20 g), acidified with acetic acid to pH 5 and extracted with toluene/ethyl acetate (10+10 mL). The extract was washed with ice cold water (10 mL), dried over Na2SO4 (20 g) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to column chromatography (silica gel) using toluene/ethyl acetate/dioxane/ethanol (1:1:1:1) as an eluent. Pure dexanabinol-7 hydrogen maleate (71.8 mg, 57%) was obtained as an oily substance.

Synthetic Example 10 Dexanabinol Ammonium Maleate

A mixture of dexanabinol (103.7 mg, 0.27 mmol), maleic anhydride (132.1 mg, 1.35 mmol), pyridine (1.62 mL, 2.0 mmol) and toluene (2.0 mL) was stirred under argon at 25° C. for 6 h. 5% NaHCO3 (6.0 mL, 3.57 mmol) was added, and the stirring at 25° C. was continued for additional 30 min. The reaction mixture was extracted with ether (30 mL). The extract was washed with 5% NaHCO3 (5 mL) followed by water (10 mL), then by very diluted H2SO4 (pH 3, 5 mL) and again by water (10 mL). Finally, the extract was dried over MgSO4 (0.50 g) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ether (2.0 mL), and the solution was saturated with gaseous NH3. The solvent and excess NH3 were evaporated. Trituration with hexane turned the sticky residue into yellowish powder. The solid was separated by decantation and dried at 50° C. under reduced pressure (0.5 Torr) to give analytically pure dexanabinol ammonium maleate (87.6 mg, 65%). M.p. 90-100° C. Analysis: Calcd: C, 69.43; H, 8.64; N, 2.79; Found: C, 69.16; H, 8.54; N, 2.54.

Synthetic Example 11 Dexanabinol Hydrogen Phthalate

A mixture of dexanabinol (196.6 mg, 0.51 mmol), phthalic anhydride (110.9 mg, 0.75 mmol), pyridine (81 mL, 1.00 mmol) and toluene (2.0 mL) was stirred under argon at 25° C. for 24 h. 5% Sodium bicarbonate (6 mL, 3.57 mmol) was added and stirring at 25° C. was continued for additional 30 min. By dropwise addition of acetic acid, pH of the mixture was reduced from 8.0 to 7.0. The mixture was diluted with water (20 mL) and extracted with ether (30 mL). The ethereal solution was washed with water (20 mL) followed by 10% acetic acid (20 mL) and dried over MgSO4. After evaporation of the ether, the residue was dissolved in toluene (20 mL) and evaporated again under reduced pressure (20 Torr, 50° C.) to remove completely acetic acid. The solid residue was dried in a vacuum oven (0.5 Torr, 50° C.) to give pure 1 (191.4 mg, 70%), white powder, m.p. 88-89° C. C33H4206 Analysis: Calcd: C, 74.13; H 7.92 Found: C, 73.91, H 8.08.

Synthetic Example 12 Dexanabinol 3-Carboxy-2-pyridinecarboxylate

Pyridine (81 mL, 1.00 mmol) was added to a suspension of dexanabinol (208.8 mg, 0.54 mmol) and 2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic anhydride (198.1 mg, 1.33 mmol) in toluene (2 mL) and the obtained mixture was stirred under argon at 25° C. for 25 h. TLC indicated no presence of dexanabinol. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water (25 g) and extracted with ether (30 mL). The ethereal layer was washed with water (20 mL), dried over MgSO4 and evaporated. The obtained residue was subjected to column chromatography using silica gel and AcOEt/EtOH/Et3N (7:2:1) as an eluent. The residue obtained after evaporation of the first fraction was dissolved in ether (30 mL) and the ethereal solution was washed with ice cold diluted sulfuric acid of pH 3.0 (2×20 mL) followed by water (20 mL) and dried over MgSO4. Evaporation of the ether and drying of the residue in a vacuum oven (0.5 Torr, 50° C.) afforded pure product as a white solid (176.3 mg, 61%), m.p. 150-153° C. (decomp.).

C32H41NO6 Calcd: C, 71.75, H 7.71, N. 2.61 Found: C, 71.56, H 7.86, N 2.66

Synthetic Example 13 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol 1-(Dimethyl Phosphate)

To a solution of 0.231 g (0.48 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-trifluoroacetate in 1 ml of dry pyridine at ice cooling 0.075 ml (0.80 mmole) of freshly distilled phosphorus oxychloride was added and stored at +3 C. for 20 hours. To the mixture 0.20 ml (5.0 mmole) of dry methanol was added and stored at room temperature for 5 hours. It was evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature, 3 ml of dry toluene was added and distilled off. The residue was treated with 3 ml of dry toluene, filtered, washed with 3×1 ml of dry toluene, and the combined solutions were evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue (0.326 g) was chromatographed on 25 g of silica gel with acetonitrile-dichloromethane (7-3 v/v) providing 0.098 g (41%) of pure title compound as a light brown thick oil. Rf=0.61 (acetonitrile-dichloromethane, 7-3 v/v).

Synthetic Example 14 (6aS-trans)12tyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol 1-(Dihydrogen Phosphate)

To a solution of 0.405 g (0.84 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-trifluoroacetate in 2 ml of dry pyridine at -20 C. 0.14 ml (1.5 mmole) of freshly distilled phosphorus oxychloride was added and stored at +3 C. for 20 hours. It was evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature, the residue was extracted with 3×3 ml of dry benzene and the combined benzene solutions were evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue was extracted with 2×10 ml of dry ether and the combined solutions were evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue (0.485 g) was dissolved in 50 ml of dry ether, at ice cooling 30 ml of deionized water was added and stirred at ice cooling for 18 hours. To the mixture 10 ml of 20% sodium chloride solution was added, separated, the etheric solution was washed with 3×10 ml of 20% sodium chloride solutions, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue was dissolved in 20 ml of ether, 10 ml of 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution was added, and stirred overnight at room temperature. It was separated, the organic solution was washed with 3×5 ml of 20% sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue (0.309 g) was chromatographed on 25 g of silica gel with methyl acetate-acetic acid-water (85-10-5 v/v). The combined fractions were evaporated, the residue was dissolved in 10 ml of ether, washed with 3×5 ml of 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate and 3×5 ml of 20% of sodium chloride solutions, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature providing 0.141 g (36%) pure title compound as a thick oil. Rf=0.43 (methyl acetate-acetic acid-water, 85-10-5 v/v);

Synthetic Example 15 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol 1-(Dihydrogen Phosphate) Disodium Salt

To a solution of 0.047 g (0.10 mmole) of dexanabinol-3'-phosphate in 5 ml of dry ethanol under argon atmosphere 1.07 ml (0.20 mmole) of 0.187 M sodium hydroxide solution in dry ethanol was added (pH ˜8) and then the solution was evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue was stirred with 20 ml of deionized water under argon atmosphere for 2 hours. It was filtered, washed with 2×10 ml of water, and the clear solution was freeze dried overnight affording 0.032 g (63%) of pure title compound as a hygroscopic white material.

Synthetic Example 16 (6aS-trans) -6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo [b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-(Di-t-butyl Phosphate)

To a stirred solution of 3.22 g (8.33 mmole) of dexanabinol in a mixture of 16 ml of dry pyridine and 3.49 ml (25.0 mmole) of dry triethylamine a solution of 5.72 g (25.0 mmole) of di-t-butylphosphorochloridate in 80 ml of dry dichloromethane was added at -40° C. and stored at -15° C. for 3 days. It was evaporated at room temperature in vacuo (1 Hgmm), the residue was solved in 75 ml of dichloromethane and washed with 1×40 ml of 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and 1×40 ml of 20% sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue (8.75 g) was chromatographed on silica gel (500 g) with dichloromethane-methanol (95-5 v/v) to provide 3.41 g (71%) of pure title compound as a pale yellow thick oil. Rf=0.54 (dichloromethane-methanol, 95-5 v/v); Analysis: Calculated for C₃₃ H₅₅ PO₆ (578.77): C: 68.48, H: 9.58%; Found: C: 68.28, H: 9.53%

Synthetic Example 17 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-(Dihydrogen Phosphate)

To a solution of 1.45 g (2.5 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-(di-t-butyl-phosphate) in 40 ml of dry chloroform at room temperature 1.93 ml (25 mmole) of trifluoroacetic acid was added and stirred for 40 minutes. It was diluted with 20 ml of chloroform, washed with 1×50 ml of 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution saturated with sodium chloride, and 2×25 ml of 20% sodium chloride solutions, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue (1.045 g) was chromatographed twice on 100 g of silica gel with methyl acetate-acetic acid-water (85-10-5 v/v). The combined fractions were evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature, dissolved in 25 ml of chloroform, washed with 2×25 ml of 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution saturated with sodium chloride, and 1×25 ml of 20% sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature providing 0.171 g (15%) of pure title compound as glass-like material;

Synthetic Example 18 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-(Dihydrogen Phosphate) bisCyclohexylamine Salt

To a solution of 0.971 g (2.1 mmole) of dexanabinol-7- phosphate in 15 ml of dry methanol 0.48 ml (4.2 mmole) of cyclohexylamine was added and evaporated to 5 ml. This solution was left to crystallize at 0 C. for 10 days. The separated crystals were filtered, washed with 4×2 ml of dry methanol and dried in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature providing 0.467 g of salt. It was recrystallized from 6 ml of dry 1-propanol affording 0.394 g (28%) of pure compound as white needles; mp.: 176-180 C.; Analysis: Calculated for C₃₇ H₆₅ N₂ O₆ P (664.91): C; 66.84, H: 9.85, N: 4.21%; Found: C: 66.62, H: 9.84, N: 4.17%.

Synthetic Example 19 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-(Dihydrogen Phosphate) Disodium Salt

To a solution of 0.052 g (0.11 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-phosphate in 2 ml of dry ethanol 0.83 ml (0.22 mmole) of 0.268 M sodium hydroxide solution in dry ethanol was added at room temperature (pH ˜7-8). The solution was evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature. The residue (0.055 g) was stirred with 40 ml of deionized water, filtered, and washed with 2×20 ml of water. The combined water solutions were freeze dried overnight affording 0.044 g (78%) title compound as a very hygroscopic white material; mp.: over 200 C. it begin to carbonize.

Synthetic Example 20 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-(4-Morpholinyl)acetate

To a mixture of 0.194 g (0.50 mmole) of dexanabinol, 1.2 mg of dimethylaminopyridine catalyst, 0.091 g (0.50 mmole) of (4-morpholinyl)acetic acid hydrochloride, and 8 ml of dry dichloromethane 0.103 g (0.50 mmole) of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was added and stirred at room temperature for 113 hours. The formed dicyclohexylcarbamide was filtered out, washed three times with dichloromethane, the combined solutions were washed with 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1×25 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40° C. The residue (0.319 g) was chromatographed on silica gel (30 g) with cyclohexane-diethylamine (8-2 v/v) to provide 0.154 g (60%) of pure title compound as a light brown sticky material. Rf=0.44 (cyclohexane-diethylamine, 8-2 v/v); Analysis: Calculated for C₃₁ H₄₇ NO₅ (513.72): C: 72.48, H: 9.22, N: 2.73%; Found: C: 72.51, H: 9.25, N: 2.92%.

Synthetic Example 21 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-[4-(4-Morpholinyl)butyrate]

To a mixture of 0.194 g (0.50 mmole) of dexanabinol, 1.2 mg of dimethylaminopyridine catalyst, 0.105 g (0.50 mmole) of 4-morpholinobutyric acid hydrochloride, and 8 ml of dry dichloromethane 0.103 g (0.50 mmole) of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was added and stirred at room temperature for overnight. The formed dicyclohexylcarbamide was filtered out, washed three times with dichloromethane, the combined solutions were washed with 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1×5 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40 C. The residue (0.281 g) was chromatographed on silica gel (25 g) with cyclohexane-diethylamine (8-2 v/v) to provide 0.221 g (82%) of pure title compound as a pale yellow very thick oil. Rf=0.42 (cyclohexane-diethylamine, 8-2 v/v), IR (film, n, cm⁻¹): 3358 (n OH) , 2927 (n_(as) CH₂,3), 2852 (n_(s) CH₂,3), 1736 (n C═O, aliphatic ester), 1621 (n C═C, olefin), 1576 (phenyl nucleus), 1450 (d CH₃), 1266 (n_(as) C--O--C), 1185 (n_(s) C--O--C), 1118 (n C--O), 967 (g C--H, aromatics), 859 (g C--H, olefin); Analysis: Calculated for C₃₁ H₅₁ NO₅ (541.77): C: 73.16, H: 9.49, N: 2.59 ; Found: C: 72.92, H: 9.53, N: 2.62%.

Synthetic Example 22 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-[4-(4-Methylmorpholinium-4-yl)butyrate]Iodide

To a solution of 0.092 g (0.17 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-morpholinobutyrate in 1 ml of dry acetone 0.053 ml (0.85 mmole) of methyl iodide was added and stored at room temperature for 2 days. After evaporation, the residue was solved in dry ether (4 ml), filtered and stored in dark for 5 days. The separated sticky material was filtered, washed three times with dry ether, and dried in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 35 C. providing 0.043 g (37%) of pure title compound as a nearly white sticky material. Its purity was 98.5% by HPLC.

Synthetic Example 23 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)acetate

To a mixture of 0.194 g (0.50 mmole) of dexanabinol, 1.2 mg of dimethylaminopyridine catalyst, 0.079 g (0.50 mmole) of (4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)acetic acid, and 8 ml of dry dichloromethane 0.103 g (0.50 mmole) of 1,3- dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was added and stirred at room temperature for 113 hours. The formed dicyclohexylcarbamide was filtered out, washed three times with dichloromethane, the combined solutions were washed with 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1×25 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40 C. The residue (0.345 g) was chromatographed on silica gel (30 g) with cyclohexane-diethylamine (8-2 v/v) to provide 0.137 g (52%) of pure title compound as a pale yellow very thick oil. Rf=0.37 (cyclohexane-diethylamine, 8-2 v/v);

Synthetic Example 24 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-[(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)acetate]bisHydrobromide

To a solution of 0.052 g (0.10 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-(N-methylpiperazinoacetate) in 1 ml of dry dichloromethane 0.56 ml (0.23 mmole) of 0.40 M hydrogen bromide solution in dry dichloromethane was added at ice cooling, and the solution was evaporated at once in vacuo (20 Hgmm) at room temperature. To the residue (0.067 g) 25 ml of deionized water was added, fortexed for 2 minutes, filtered, washed with 5 ml of deionized water, and the combined water solutions were freeze dried overnight providing 0.060 g (87%) of pure title compound as hygroscopic white material.

Synthetic Example 25 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-[4-(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)butyrate]

To a mixture of 0.194 g (0.50 mmole) of dexanabinol, 1.2 mg of dimethylaminopyridine catalyst, 0.144 g (0.50 mmole) of 4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)butyric acid bishydrochloride, and 15 ml of dry dichloromethane 0.103 g (0.50 mmole) of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was added and stirred at room temperature for 65 hours. The formed dicyclohexylcarbamide was filtered out, washed three times with dichloromethane, the combined solutions were washed with 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1×25 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40 C. The residue (0.329 g) was chromatographed on silica gel (50 g) with cyclohexane-diethylamine (8-2 v/v) to provide 0.142 g (51%) of pure title compound as a pale yellow very sticky material. Rf=0.43 (cyclohexane-diethylamine, 8-2 v/v), IR (film, n, cm⁻¹): 3000 (very broad, n OH), 2930 (n CH₂,3), 1734 (n C═O, aliphatic ester), 1620 (n C═C, olefin), 1575 (phenyl nucleus), 1461 (d CH₃), 1371 (gem. dimethyl), 1283 and 1186 (n C--O--C), 1087 (n C--O, phenol), 968 (g C--H, aromatics), 816 (g C--H, olefin); Analysis: Calculated for C₃₄ H₅₄ N₂ O₄ (554.82+1% dichloromethane+3% diethylamine): C: 72.78, H: 9.90, N: 5.42%; Found: C: 72.78, H: 9.96, N: 5.36%.

Synthetic Example 26 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α[4-(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)butyrate]bisHydrobromide

To a solution of 0.060 g (0.11 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-(N-methylpiperazinobutyrate) in 1 ml of dry dichloromethane 2.45 ml (0.27 mmole) of 0.11 M hydrogen bromide solution in dry dichloromethane was added at room temperature. After 10 minutes it was evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature, to the residue 30 ml of deionized water was added, and fortexed for 5 minutes. It was filtered and the water solution was freeze dried overnight providing 0.071 g (90%) of pure title compound as a hygroscopic white material.

Synthetic Example 27 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol α-(Trifluoroacetate)

To a solution of 1.160 g (3.0 mmole) of dexanabinol in 60 ml of dry chloroform 2.3 ml (30 mmole) of trifluoroacetic acid and 9 g of molecular sieves (3 u, 4-8 mesh) were added and stored at room temperature for 22 hours. It was filtered, washed with dry chloroform (3×10 ml), and the combined solutions were evaporated in vacuo at room temperature. The residue was treated with 12 ml of dry n-pentane, the small amount of insoluble material was filtered out and washed with dry n-pentane (3×1 ml), and the combined pentane solutions were evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at room temperature giving 1.424 g (98%) of pure title compound as a colorless sticky material. Rf=0.71 (benzene-isopropanol 9-1); IR (film, n, cm⁻¹): 3392 (n OH), 2960 (n_(as) CH₃), 2930 (n_(as) CH₂), 2858 (n_(s) CH₂), 1785 (n C═O, α-halogen ester), 1623 (n C═C, olefin), 1575 (phenyl nucleus), 1459 (d CH₃), 1168 (n C--O--C), 1082 (n C--O, phenol), 966 (g C--H, aromatics), 837 (g C--H, olefin); Analysis: Calculated for C₂₇ H₃₇ F₃ O₄ (482.58): C: 67.20, H: 7.73%; Found: C: 67.17, H: 7.77%.

Synthetic Example 28 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol 1-[4-(4-Morpholinyl)butyrate]

To a mixture of 0.241 g (0.50 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-trifluoroacetate, 1.2 mg of dimethylamino-pyridine catalyst, 0.105 g (0.50 mmole) of 4-morpholinobutyric acid hydrochloride, and 8 ml of dry dichloromethane 0.103 g (0.50 mmole) of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was added and stirred at room temperature for overnight. The formed dicyclohexylcarbamide was filtered out, washed three times with dichloromethane, the combined solutions were washed with 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1×5 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40 C. The residue (0.330 g) was chromatographed on silica gel (25 g) with toluene-diethylamine (9-1 v/v) to provide 0.134 g (71%) of pure title compound as a pale yellow very thick oil. Rf=0.45 (toluene-diethylamine, 9-1 v/v), IR (film, n, cm⁻¹): 3408 (n OH), 2929 (n_(as) CH₂,3), 2856 (n_(s) CH₂,3), 1757 (n C═O, phenol ester), 1624 (n C═C, olefin), 1563 (phenyl nucleus), 1459 (d CH₃), 1370 (gem. dimethyl), 119 (n C--O), 864 (g C--H, olefin); Analysis: Calculated for C₃₁ H₅₁ NO₅ (541.77): C: 73.16, H: 9.49, N; 2.59%; Found: C: 72.93, H: 9.50, N: 2.60%.

Synthetic Example 29 (6aS-trans)-6,6-Dimethyl-3-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol 1-[4-(4-Methylmorpholinium-4-yl)butyrate] Iodide

To a solution of 0.059 g (0.11 mmole) of dexanabinol-4-morpholinobutyrate in 1 ml of dry acetone 0.034 ml (0.55 mmole) of methyl iodide was added and stored at room temperature for 2 days. After evaporation, the residue was continuously extracted with boiling n- hexane for 2 hours. The insoluble part was dried in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40 C. providing 0.031 g (41%) of pure title compound as a pale yellow glass-like material. Its purity was 96.0% by HPLC.

Synthetic Example 30 (6aS-trans)11tyl)-1-hydroxy-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-9-methanol 1-[4-(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)butyrate]

To a mixture of 0.407 g (0.843 mmole) of dexanabinol-7-trifluoroacetate, 2.5 mg of dimethylamino-pyridine catalyst, 0.172 g (0.93 mmole) of 4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)butyric acid, and 25 ml of dry dichloromethane 0.209 g (1.01 mmole) of 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was added and stirred at room temperature for 305 hours. The formed dicyclohexylcarbamide was filtered out, washed with 3×1.5 ml of dichloromethane, the combined solutions were washed with 5% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (1×50 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40 C. The residue (0.495 g) was chromatographed on silica gel (50 g) first with benzene-triethylamine (8-2 v/v) and again on silica gel (25 g) with benzene-isopropanol-triethylamine (8-1-1 v/v) to provide 0.213 g (46%) of title compound as a light yellow sticky material. The analytical sample was further purified by column chromatography on silica gel with cyclohexane-diethylamine (8-2 v/v), the combined fractions were solved in dichloroethane, filtered and evaporated in vacuo (1 Hgmm) at 40° C. Rf=0.26 (cyclohexane-diethylamine, 8-2 v/v), Rf=0.17 (benzene-triethylamine, 8-2 v/v), Rf=0.31 (benzene-isopropanol-triethylamine, 8-1-1 v/v), IR (film, n, cm⁻¹): 3193 (n OH), 2930 (n CH₂,3), 1757 (n C═O, phenol ester), 1624 (n C═C, olefin), 1566 (phenyl nucleus), 1462 (d CH₃), 1371 (gem. dimethyl), 1283 (n C--O--C), 867 (g C--H, olefin); Analysis: Calculated for C₃₄ H₅₄ N₂ O₄ (554.82+1% dichloromethane+2% diethylamine): C: 72.86, H: 9.84, N: 5.28%; Found: C: 72.74, H: 9.87, N: 5.20%.

Synthetic Example 31 Dexanabinol-7-acetate

Acetic anhydride (0.48 mL, 5.0 mmol) was added to a suspension of dexanabinol (2.00 g. 5.2 mmol) in anhydrous chloroform (6.0 mL) and the obtained mixture was stirred under argon at 24° C. for 72 h. The obtained solution was subjected to column chromatography (silica gel) using toluene/ethyl acetate (19:1) as an eluent. Fractions containing dexanabinol-7-acetate were combined and evaporated to give analytically pure product (0.73 g, 34%) as a sticky oil. Analysis: Calcd: C, 75.66; H 9.41; Found: C, 75.56, H 9.46.

The second fraction from column chromatography recovered the unreacted dexanabinol (1.30 g, 65%).

Physiological Example 1 Neuroprotectant Activity Against Toxicity Mediated Via Glutamate Receptors in Cortical Cultures

The neuroprotective effects of the compounds of the invention were tested on neurons exposed to various excitotoxins in culture. The compounds tested included dexanabinol and dexanabinol acetate, which were previously shown to have NMDA antagonist properties in mice (U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,867 and dexanabinol succinate).

Quantitative neurotoxicity studies. The test drugs were examined for their ability to protect neurons in culture from toxic effects of agonists of the different glutamate receptor subtypes (agonists of inotropic and/or metabotropic glutamate receptors), e.g. NMDA, AMPA, kainate and quisqualate. The culture conditions and assay conditions were all performed as described in Eshhar et al., NeuroReport 5, 237-240 (1993). In brief, primary cerebral cortical cell cultures were prepared from 18-20 day old rat fetuses by enzymatic dissociation. Resulting cell suspensions were plated on confluent cortical glial cell feeder layer (prepared 2 weeks earlier by a similar method). Neurons were grown in MEM media containing 0.6% glucose, FUDR/Uridine mixture and N2 supplement (insulin, progesterone, putrescine, selenium and transferrin). Cells at 10 days in culture were exposed to the various toxins either alone, or in the presence of the tested compounds. All exposures were carried out at 37° C. for 20-24 hours before assessing neuronal cell damage and neuroprotectant activity. Cell viability was determined morphologically following neuron specific enolase immunostaining of cells using the ABC biotin-avidin complex method, and determined quantitatively by measuring the extent of mitochondrial activity in living cells using the XTT-based assay. XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium 5-carboxanilide salt) is reduced by mitochondrial dehydrogenase to a soluble colored formazan. The density of color formation (O.D.), which is proportional to mitochondrial activity, was measured by a plate ELISA reader. The extent of neuroprotectant activity is expressed as % of cells rescued by the drugs tested. Forebrain membrane preparation: Brains were removed from Sprague-Dawley rats no more than 5 min after decapitation. Membrane preparations were isolated according to a procedure described previously (Eshhar et al., Brain Res. 476: 57, 1989). Prior to radioligand binding measurements, endogenous glutamate present in membranes was removed from the preparation by subjecting the membranes to 3-4 successive washings in 10 mM Tris HCl pH 7.2, performed at 4° C.

Radioligand binding studies: Binding of [3H]MK-801 to membranes was conducted in the presence of 30 mM glycine and 10 mM L-glutamate. Membranes (250 mg protein) were re-suspended in 50 mM tris-acetate pH 7.4 buffer and incubated with 10 nM [3H]MK-801, either alone or in the presence of dexanabinol at 0.195-100 mM concentrations for three hours at room temperature (RT). Reaction buffers used in the different radioligand binding studies contained 10% of an ethanol/Emulphor 620/deionized water mixture. The ratio (by volume) of the respective components in the mixture was 20/3/57. This mixture is required for solubilizing dexanabinol at concentrations above 30 mM. Reaction volume was 1 ml. Non-specific [3H]MK-801 binding was determined in the presence of 100 mM unlabeled MK-801. Binding of [3H]AMPA of and [3H]vinylidene-kainic acid to membranes was performed as described in Eshhar et al., 1993 (ibid.).

Dexanabinol neuroprotective activity: Co-application of 1000 mM NMDA and 10 mM dexanabinol to cell cultures resulted in complete salvage of neurons from NMDA-induced toxicity. The morphological features of dexanabinol treated cells appeared similar to that of untreated sister cultures. Dexanabinol prevented both the neuronal cell body swelling and dendritic and axonal process degeneration produced by the toxin. The neuroprotectant activity of 10 mM dexanabinol against NMDA-induced toxicity was comparable to that elicited by 30 mM MK-801. Enzyme-linked immunostaining with antibodies to enolase revealed dense staining in neuron cell bodies and processes of MK-801 and dexanabinol treated cells. Staining intensity was similar to that produced by control cells of sister cultures. These morphological observations were confirmed by measuring mitochondrial activity in cells following injury and/or protection, using the XTT-based assay. The dose-response relationship of dexanabinol required to protect against NMDA and quisqualate neurotoxicity was examined. NMDA-elicited neurotoxic effects were attenuated by dexanabinol in a concentration-dependent manner. Half-maximal neuroprotection against NMDA mediated toxicity (EC50) was observed at 3.8±0.9 mM dexanabinol (mean±s.d.; n=3; FIG. 1). Neurotoxicity produced by exposing cells to 1000 quisqualate was attenuated by dexanabinol, although to a much lesser degree. The percent of cells rescued by 10 mM dexanabinol was found to be 28.2±8%. By contrast, dexanabinol failed to protect neurons from damage caused by the non-NMDA agonists--kainate or AMPA.

Dexanabinol mechanism of action as analyzed by radioligand binding studies: The identification of possible recognition sites for dexanabinol at different glutamate receptor subtypes was carried out by measuring the ability of dexanabinol to inhibit the binding of either MK-801, kainic acid or AMPA to rat forebrain membranes. Radioligand binding studies demonstrated that dexanabinol competes with the binding of MK-801 to membranes, while it is unable to inhibit AMPA or kainic acid binding. Concentration dependence of dexanabinol inhibition of [3H]MK-801 binding is illustrated in FIG. 2. The inhibition constant (KI) value displayed by dexanabinol was measured and found to be 11.0±1.3 mM. As deduced from Scatchard analyses, dexanabinol greatly affected the affinity of [3H]MK-801 to rat forebrain membranes. Significant decreases in affinity (increased KD values) were observed. The KD for [3H]MK-801 binding was 40.5±2.5 nM, and 74.7±2.2 nM when dexanabinol was added to the system. The apparent calculated BMAX values for [3H]MK-801 were 0.290±0.012 and 0.273±0.007 pmole/mg protein respectively. The respective nH values were found to be: 1.011±0.027 and 1.008±0.009. These data suggest that dexanabinol displaces MK-801 binding in a competitive manner.

Physiological Example 2 Neurotoxic Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside in Rat Cortical Cultures are Attenuated by Dexanabinol

The ability of dexanabinol to prevent neuronal cell death induced by the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was studied in rat cortical cell cultures. Neurotoxic effects of SNP can be attributed to NO which is spontaneously released by the compound or possibly to released cyanide. NO is an active agent in neurotoxicity and is an important neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system (Garthwaite, TINS 14: 60-67, 1991). It has been hypothesized that NO may be a mediator of neuronal damage during ischemia (Nowicki et al., J. Pharmacol., 204: 339, 1991) and it has been proposed as the chemical mediator that couples excitatory neurotransmission to excitotoxic cell death (Dawson et al., PNAS 88: 6368, 1991). Several lines of evidence have suggested that toxic actions of SNP might not result solely from the release of NO. As shown by Izumi et al. (Exp. Neurol. 121: 14, 1993), SNP neurotoxicity produced in rat hippocampal slices was not attenuated by MK-801. Moreover, that study suggested that SNP induces cell damage that differs from that produced by NMDA or cyanide.

METHODS

Preparation of cortical cell cultures: Cultures were prepared according to the procedure described above in example 1.

Exposure of cells to SNP and toxicity assessments: Cells at 10-14 days in culture were exposed to 0.5-10 mM SNP, either alone or in concert with 10 mM dexanabinol (HPCD preparation) or 30 mM MK-801. All exposures were carried out for 20-24 hours at 37° C. before assessing neuronal cell death. Cells of sister cultures were exposed in parallel to vehicle only and were referred to as controls. Cell death was analyzed morphologically following immunocytochemical localization of neuron-specific enolase and assessed quantitatively using the XTT-based assay, as described in Physiological Example 1.

RESULTS

Incubation of cells with SNP produced a massive neuronal and glial cell damage. A dramatic attenuation in cell death was observed when cells were co-incubated with dexanabinol and SNP concentrations up to 5 mM. Dexanabinol was not effective when co-administered to cells with SNP at 10 mM concentration. Quantitative assessments of mitochondrial activity in cells have shown that dexanabinol was able to rescue 75% of the cells from injury caused by 500 mM SNP (FIG. 3). No cell rescue was observed and measured when cells were co-incubated with MK-801. Results are mean±S.E.M. of 3 experiments performed in sextuplicate. As discussed above and shown in example 1, results indicate that dexanabinol elicits neuroprotective activities that could not be displayed by MK-801 although both drugs are non-competitive NMDA antagonists and can protect neurons from excitotoxicity via binding to identical sites located in the NMDA linked ion channel. It is evident that dexanabinol can protect neurons from damage induced by a variety of drugs, probably via more than one mechanism of action. The broader spectrum of neuroprotective activity displayed by dexanabinol is obviously of great advantage.

Physiological Example 3 The Neuroprotective Effect of Dexanabinol on Permanent Focal Ischemia (Rat MCAo)

The neuroprotective effect of dexanabinol was assessed in a model of permanent focal ischemia using rats in which the middle cerebral artery was electrically coagulated. In this model, the primary damage caused is not amenable to pharmacological intervention. Improvement in the outcome is expected in terms of reduction in the penumbra of secondary damage which can be contained to the immediate vicinity of the MCA. Thus, successful intervention will reduce the total infarct volume.

PROCEDURES

Animals (Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-400 g) were fasted overnight but were allowed free access to water. Anesthesia was induced with 4% halothane, 70% nitrous oxide and a balance of oxygen and was maintained with 2% halothane and 70% nitrous oxide during the surgical procedures. Atropine sulfate (0.04 mg, i.p.) was injected. The right femoral artery and vein were cannulated with PE-50 polyethylene catheters for monitoring of arterial blood pressure and blood gases, and for the administration of drugs. Rats were than intubated endotracheally, immobilized with pancuronium bromide (initial dose, 0.6 mg/kg; additional dose, 0.2 mg/kg, i.v.), and were mechanically ventilated. The animals were fixed in a stereotaxic frame (Stoelting, Ill.). Blood gases (ABL 30 system, Radiometer, Copenhagen), plasma glucose and lactate (Glucose/Lactate Analyzer Model 2300 STAT, YSI, Ohio) were monitored 30 min prior to the administration of dexanabinol or vehicle during ischemia (30 min after MCAo, i.e. 60 min after drug administration). Physiological variables were kept within normal limits.

MCA exposure, brain temperature monitor and CBF monitor. The right MCA was exposed by the method of Tamura et al. (Tamura et al., J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab., 1: 53-60, 1981). In brief, the cranial vault and the right lateral surface of the skull were exposed via a longitudinal skin incision between the eye and the ear. The zygomatic arch was removed. A burr hole (1.5 mm in diameter) for the brain temperature probe was made above the right parietal cortex by means of a high-speed min-drill (Nihon-Seimitsu Kikai Kogyo K.K., Japan) under an operating microscope (Carl Zeiss, Germany); the field was irrigated frequently with cooled saline to avoid thermal damage. Brain temperature was monitored with a thermocouple probe (CN 9000, Omega), which was inserted into the cerebral cortex (approximate coordinates, 4 mm lateral to the bregma, 2 mm depth from brain surface). Brain temperature was maintained between 35-36° C. by means of a small heating lamp placed 20 cm over the head. Another burr hole (2 mm lateral to the burr hole for the temperature problem, 2 mm in diameter) was made in the lateral surface of the temporal bone to permit continuous CBF measurement by laser- Doppler flowmetry (P433-3, Vasamedics). This probe was connected to a perfusion monitor (LaserFlo BPM 403A, Vasamedics). This position of the probe was determined based upon previous studies (Duverger and MacKenzie, J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 8: 449-461, 1988; Shiraishi, Sharp & Simon, J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 9: 765-773, 1989; Tyson et al., Ann. Neurol. 15: 559-567, 1984) using the same proximal MCA occlusion model in Sprague-Dawley rats. A temporal burr hole was then made in the retro-orbital region to permit clipping of the MCA and the dura mater covering the MCA was opened.

Steady state monitor, drug administration and MCAo. Following these surgical procedures, the inspired halothane was discontinued to avoid the effect of halothane on systemic blood pressure and CBF. Anesthesia was maintained with 70% nitrous oxide and 30% oxygen. Thirty minutes after discontinuation of halothane, measurement of the preischemic physiological variables, CBF, MAP, and pulse rate was begun. Steady-state baseline values were recorded before the administration of dexanabinol or the vehicle, and CBF was expressed as a percentage of the average of 6 baseline measurements taken every 5 min prior to the administration. Because ambient light interferes with the flow reading, the heating lamp was turned off for 30 sec at the time of each CBF recording. Brain temperature did not decrease below 35° C. during this period. To detect the effect of dexanabinol on CBF and MAP, these variables were measured every 15 min after the administration of dexanabinol or the vehicle.

After 30 min of pre-ischemic data sampling, dexanabinol (11 mg/ml, 20 mg/kg i.p.) or the same amount of vehicle was administered. Thirty minutes after the drug administration, the proximal portion of the right MCA was electrocoagulated and severed. Brain perfusion, pathological study: Brains were perfusion-fixed for pathological examination 3 days following the ischemic insult. The rats were deeply anesthetized with pentobarbital and perfused transcardially with physiological saline (5 min) and then with FAM (a mixture of 40% formaldehyde:glacial acetic acid:methanol, 1:1:8 by volume, 20 min) at a pressure of 120 mmHg. The head was immersed in FAM for at least 24 hours; the brain was then removed and kept in the same fixative for 7 days. The brains were cut coronally and embedded in paraffin. Brain sections 10 mm thick were prepared at 200 mm intervals and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. For a morphometric study, ten coronal sections were selected at defined anatomic levels (Osborne et al., 1987). Each section was viewed at low power (10×), and the cortical infarct was traced onto paper using a camera lucida microscope attachment. Each drawing was then retraced onto a digitizing tablet interfaced to a computer, which calculated infarcted areas at each coronal level. Infarct volume was computed by numerical integration of sequential infarct areas.

Stereotaxic coordinates (mm) of levels 1-10 are: 1=12.13; 2=10.05; 3=8.92; 4=7.19; 5=6.06; 6=5.15; 7=3.75; 8=2.18; 9=1.02; 10=-0.48 anterior to the interaural line.

RESULTS

Animals whose physiological variables could not be kept within normal limits, or which had uncontrollable bleeding, were excluded from analysis. A total of twenty-nine rats were used. Twenty rats were operated on without uncontrollable bleeding and met the physiological criteria. One rat out of 20 was discarded because the pathological finding disclosed no cerebral infarction. The absence of infarction means the failure of MCAo.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the neurological scores at 1d, 2d and 3d after MCAo were significantly improved compared with the neurological score of 2 h, in the dexanabinol treated group. The improvement in the dexanabinol treated group was significantly accelerated compared to vehicle-treated controls. More revealing is the analysis of infarct area presented in FIG. 5. At levels between 4 and 8, the infarct volume of dexanabinol treated animals was significantly reduced. This indicates that dexanabinol is effective in significantly reducing the penumbral damage which occurs outside the region consistently involved in direct damage due to the MCA occlusion.

Physiological Example 4 The Effect of Dexanabinol on Cerebral Edema in a Rat Model of Head Trauma

The cerebroprotective effect of dexanabinol was assessed in a model of head trauma (HT) in rats. Injury was induced in anesthetized rats by a weight-drop device followed by a recovery period of up to 48 hours. This type of trauma produces brain edema (i.e. increase in water content, decrease in specific gravity in the brain), breakdown of the blood brain barrier (BBB) and clinical dysfunction. The clinical status of the rats was evaluated 1, 24 and 48 hours after injury along with measuring the extent of cerebral edema. The neurological deficit, assessed by a set of criteria termed the Neurological Severity Score (NSS), is maximal at 1 hour after the initiation of head trauma. The NSS slowly decreases over time from the initiation of HT, with the gradual spontaneous recovery of the rats.

Dexanabinol significantly reduces edema formation and BBB disruption when given before (30 min), immediately after HT (0 min) or even 1 and 2 hours after HT. This effect was similar regardless if the active ingredient was given into the brain (i.c.v.) or parenterally (i.p. or i.v.). The doses required for significant neuroprotection depend on the mode of administration and range from 0.5-20 mg/kg. It is also important to note that the NSS, mainly specific motor function (e.g. beam-walk and balance) improved significantly upon administration of dexanabinol. In fact, even one dose of dexanabinol, given 1 hour after the impact, effectively reduced edema and improved the clinical outcome measured 48 hours after HT (Shohami et al., J. Neurotrauma 10: 109, 1993)

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The model was described in detail by Shapira et al., Crit. Care Med. 16: 258-265, 1988. Rats were subjected to head trauma (HT) by a weight-drop device and surviving rats were followed up after one week. During that period they had free access to food and water, and were kept 2-3 rats to a cage. At any predesignated time (15 min, 1, 4, 24, 48 hrs, 4, 7 days) rats were sacrificed. Their brains were then rapidly removed and cortical tissue taken to determine water content, ions and the metabolites of interest at any particular metabolic cascade studied. During the recovery period, the clinical status was evaluated by a set of criteria (NSS).

Trauma induced a significant decrease in specific gravity (SG) of brain tissue and increase in water content following head injury. Edema developed since ore water accumulates in either the extracellular (vasogenic) or intracellular (cytotoxic) spaces. The methods employed to determine edema are based on linear gradient columns of bromobenzene and kerosene (for SG) and for water content on drying the tissue in a desiccated oven. Tissue pieces (20 mg each) were placed on top of the column and the SG calculated from the equilibrium position in the column, using a standard curve.

Animals were given chloral hydrate (350 mg/kg i.p.) and placed in a 4.7 Tesla magnet 30 minutes after the trauma for a 10 min T2 weighted scan (TR=2.5 sec), TE=55 msec, Slice thickness=1 mm, center to center slice separation=1.2 mm, 128×256 matrix, FOV=5 cm). One hour after trauma, rats received an i.v. injection of dexanabinol 5 mg/kg in emulsion (N=9), or the appropriate vehicle (N=11). The scan was repeated 24 hours post-trauma. The extent (volume) of initial damage to the brain was calculated from the volume difference between the right and left hemispheres. The volume of edema 24 hours later was calculated from the area of hyperintense regions (besides ventricles) on all the slices where such regions were observed after thresholding, multiplied by 1.2 mm. The ratio between the volume of initial damage and edema volume was calculated for each individual animal to control for variations in initial damage.

RESULTS

Table 2 summarizes the results in two sets of experiments. In the first, dexanabinol was administered at a low dose (1.6 mg/kg) directly in to the cerebral ventricle. In the second, it was injected i.p., at 20-30 mg/kg. In both sets of experiments, the drug was given half an hour before, or just after, the induction of trauma and its effect on edema and clinical outcome was evaluated 24 and 48 hours later. The result indicates a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the degree of edema developed after head trauma (HT). About 50% less water was accumulating in the brain as a result of dexanabinol treatment to traumatized rats.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         The effect of dexanabinol on improving cerebral edema after Head Trauma        Route of                                                                              Dose    Time of   Time of                                                                              Percent of                                                                            Control                                  admin. mg/kg   admin.    evalu.                                                                               SG     percent water                            ______________________________________                                         i.c.v. 1.6     -30    min  24 h  54.7   25.0                                   i.c.v. 1.6     0      time 24 h  60.1   50.0                                   i.c.v. 1.6     0      time 48 h  66.7   49.2                                   i.p.   20      -30    min  24 h  65.0   60.0                                   i.p.   30      -30    min  24 h  60.0   62.0                                   i.p.   25      0      time 48 h  63.4   62.0                                   ______________________________________                                    

The effect of dexanabinol was calculated by the percent edema formation, where 100% was taken as edema in control, non-treated rats. Thus, the reduction in the SG was calculated as follows:

    SG(sham)-SG(drug)/SG(sham)-SG(cont)×100.

The increase in water content was calculated as follows:

    %H2O (drug-%H2O(sham)/%H2O(cont)-H2O(sham)×100.

All results presented in the table are statistically different (p<0.05) from control, traumatized vehicle treated rats.

After we established the effect on edema, when given 30 minutes prior to, or right after, HT, we investigated the "therapeutic window," namely dexanabinol, 25 mg/kg i.p. was given one, two or three hours after HT. Its effect on NSS (and on specific motor function) was assessed, as well as the effect on edema and BBB integrity. FIGS. 6-8 summarize the results of these studies. As can be seen, dexanabinol was fully effective, even when administered up to 2 h post-injury; at 3 h post-trauma the effect was less pronounced.

MRI analysis of edema. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) analysis of the results of head trauma enabled us to investigate the effect of dexanabinol on the spread of edema in relation to the site and size of initial damage: Animals were scanned 30 minutes after the trauma, injected with dexanabinol or vehicle 30 minutes later, and again scanned 24 hours after the trauma. The volume of initial damage was calculated from the difference between the right (uncontused) and left hemisphere, and the volume of the edema was assessed by measuring the hyperintense regions on the brain slices. Dexanabinol significantly reduced the ratio of edema volume to volume of initial damage, which reflects the spread of edema normalized to the severity of the initial injury.

The volume of brain tissue damage in the experimental animals varied from 15 to 60 mL. The mean volume of initial damage was higher in the dexanabinol treated animals (39 mL vs. 24 mL) since vehicle treated rats with large (>45 mL) lesions did riot survive. Edema volume, however, was higher in vehicle treated animals (p=0.05) and the ratio of edema to initial damage in individual rats was significantly lower in the dexanabinol treated group: mean±sem vehicle, 5.95±1.6; dexanabinol 1.6±0.55; p<0.03, Student's t-test, two tailed.

CONCLUSION

Severe head injury, or cerebral ischemia, is associated with a high mortality rate (exceeding 50%) and poor functional outcome. Despite extensive clinical and experimental research, there are no well-defined therapies for these conditions. There are very few available treatments for brain injury today and the gradual progressive biochemical changes which occur after head trauma can lead to the evolution of permanent neuronal damage. The results clearly demonstrate that the compounds of the instant invention, namely dexanabinol, possess cerebroprotective properties in a model of closed head injury in rats.

Physiological Example 5 Beneficial Effect of Dexanabinol on Injured Rat Optic Nerves

Injury to nerves of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) leads to axonal degeneration followed by a loss of cell bodies. Initial degeneration of the injured nerve probably results from direct damage. The physiological and biochemical events that occur in the nerve immediately after injury are probably responsible for the degeneration not only of directly injured axons, but also of those that escaped the primary lesion. Thus, the primary biochemical and physiological events which devastate the spared axons have a critical influence on the long-term functional outcome.

The present study was designed to assess the potential ability of the active ingredients of the present invention, especially dexanabinol, to attenuate early injury-induced deficits and subsequent physiological manifestations. Early injury-induced deficits were monitored non-invasively in metabolic terms and long-term manifestation in physiological terms.

Monitoring of immediate injury-induced changes offers an optimal means of evaluating the ability of the active ingredient presently claimed (dexanabinol), like any other potential drug, to circumvent the causes of secondary degeneration, rather than its results. This enables one to find out whether the presently claimed active ingredient (dexanabinol) or any other tested drugs will facilitate the rescue of axons that escaped primary injury. In all of these studies, the rat optic nerve was used as a model for the CNS. The results are thus applicable to CNS trauma in general and the optic nerve in particular. Moreover, it is specifically indicative of protection against axonal damage and, therefore, is also relevant to spinal cord injuries.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-400 g were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (35 mg/kg intraperitoneally). A cannula was introduced into the trachea for artificial ventilation when required. With the animal's head held in place by a head holder, a lateral canthotomy was performed under a binocular operating microscope and the conjunctiva was incised lateral to the cornea. After separation of the retractor bulbi muscles, the optic nerve was identified and a length of 3-3.5 mm was exposed near the eyeball by blunt dissection. The dura was left intact and care was taken not to injure the nerve. The first part of a light guide holder was inserted under the optic nerve and the nerve was gently eased into the light guide canal. The second part was then fixed in place in such a way that the light guide was located on the surface of the optic nerve 1 mm from the site of injury.

Surface fluorometry reflectometry: Monitoring of the intramitochondrial nicotineamine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) redox state is based on the fact that NADH, unlike the oxidized form NAD+, fluoresces when illuminated by light at 366 nm resulting in the emission of blue light with peak emission at 450 nm. The source of the 366-nm excitation light was a 100-W air-cooled mercury lamp equipped with a strong 366-nm filter [Corning 5860 (7-37) plus 9782 (4-96)]. A flexible Y-shaped bundle of optic fibers (light guide) was used to transmit the light to and from the optic nerve, thus making in vivo measurements technically feasible. Excitation light (366 nm) was transmitted through the bundle of excitation fibers to the nerve. The light emitted from the nerve, after being transmitted through a second bundle of fibers, was split in a ratio of 90:10 for measurement of the fluorescent light (90%) at 450 nm and the reflected light (10%) at 366 nm by two photomultipliers connected to a one-channel direct current fluorometer-reflectometer. In order to minimize variations among animals, standard signal calibration procedures were applied at the start of the recordings, as described in detail previously (Yoles et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 30: 3586-3591, 1992). Changes in the fluorescence and reflectance signals during the experiment were calculated relative to the calibrated signals.

Changes in the reflected light were correlated with changes in tissue absorption caused by hemodynamic effects and movements of the optic nerve secondary to alterations in arterial blood pressure and nerve volume. The fluorescence measurements were found to be adequately corrected for NADH redox state measurements by subtraction of the reflected light (366 nm) from the fluorescent light (1:1 ratio) to obtain the corrected fluorescence signal.

Metabolic measurements: Animals, still anesthetized, were allowed to recover for 30 min. from the surgical procedures and were then exposed to anoxic and to hyperoxic conditions. An anoxic state was achieved by having the rat breathe in an atmosphere ventilated by flowing of 100% nitrogen for 2 min., after which it was returned to air. Whenever animals did not return spontaneously to normal breathing, they were twice via the trachea. A hyperoxic state was induced by having the animal breathe 100% 02 for 6-10 min. In order to evaluate the metabolic activity of the optic nerve, the relative changes in reflected and fluorescent light intensities in response to anoxia and to hyperoxia were measured before and after crush injury.

Experimental protocol for metabolic measurements: Using calibrated cross-action forceps (Duvdevani et al., Res Neurol. Neurosci. 2: 31-38, 1991), a moderate crush injury was inflicted on the nerve between the eye and the light guide holder at a pressure corresponding to 120 g for 30 sec, as previously described (Duvdevani et al., 1991). In control groups (13 animals), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was injected immediately after injury; in the experimental groups (6 animals), dexanabinol (20 mg/kg) was injected. Metabolic activity prior to injury was measured in all nerves.

RESULTS

FIG. 9 shows the results of a single dexanabinol injection (intraperitoneally, 20 mg/kg) at the time of injury on the metabolic activity of the injured nerves. As can be seen, the injury-induced reduction in metabolic activity was partially attenuated by dexanabinol. The effect was already noticeable within 30 min after the injury. This reduction in the injury-induced deficit lasted at least for the 4 h of the experiment. The effect was statistically significant according to the paired t-test.

To assess the post-injury time period within which the treatment is still beneficial, the experiment was repeated, but dexanabinol was injected 2 h after injury. In 3 of the 6 animals examined, a beneficial effect could still be observed.

The dexanabinol induced improvement of metabolic activity could be a result of the circumvention of any events which occur in the injured nerves and may eventually lead to Ca2+ entrance and axonal degeneration. The overall effect could be a slow-down of degeneration or the rescue of axons not directly damaged by local events in their vicinity.

Assessment of the possible long-term effect of dexanabinol is achieved by physiological means.

Physiological measurements: The experimental setup was as per Assia et al. (1990). Prior to removal of optic nerves for electrophysiological measurement, the rats were deeply anesthetized with 70 mg/kg pentobarbitone. The skin was removed from the skull and the optic nerves were detached from the eyeballs. Subtotal decapitation was performed and the skull was opened with a ronguer. The cerebrum was displaced laterally, exposing the intracranial portion of the optic nerve. Dissection at the level of the chiasm enabled removal of the whole length of the nerve, which was transferred to vials containing fresh, cold Krebs solution, consisting of (in ml): NaCl 125, KCl 5, KH2PO4 1.2, NaHCO3 26, MgSO4 0.6, CaCl2 24, D-glucose 11, aerated with 95% 02 and 5% CO2. The nerves were kept in this solution, in which electrical activity remained stable for at least 3-4 hours. After 1 hour of recovery, nerves were immersed in the Krebs solution at 37° C. Electrophysiological recordings were obtained from the nerve distal to the crush lesion, since the nerves were too small to allow measurements on both sides of the crush. The nerve ends were then connected to two suction Ag-AgCl electrodes immersed in the bathing solution. The stimulating pulse was applied through the electrode at the proximal end and the action potential was recorded by the distal electrode. A Grass SD9 stimulator was used for electrical stimulation (2 V, 50 ms). The signal was transmitted to a Medelec PA63 pre-amplifier and thence to a Medelec MS7 electromyograph and an AA7T amplifier. The solution, stimulator and amplifier had a common ground. The maximum amplitude of 8 averaged compound action potentials (CAPS) was recorded and photographed with a Polaroid camera. The left nerves (uninjured) were used to measure the reference values of normal nerves and to calibrate the crush forceps.

Long-term effect of dexanabinol. FIG. 10 shows the long-term effect of dexanabinol manifested electrophysiologically. Dexanabinol was injected intraperitoneally at various dosages, immediately after injury. Electrophysiological activity was recorded in vitro 2 weeks after the injury and the drug administration, using suction electrodes.

Controls. Injured nerves were excised from animals, injected with the vehicle at the time of injury. Already, at 3 mg/kg, the action potential was higher than in control nerves. Maximal physiological activity was observed at 7 mg/kg. At 20 mg/kg there was no effect.

In all animals the contralateral nerves, which were not injured, were used as controls for the physiological measurements and for the treatment. Dexanabinol had no effect on uninjured nerves. Examination of the shape of the action potential curve (mono- or multicomponents) revealed that dexanabinol appears to rescue selectively fast-conducting fibers.

Beneficial effect of dexanabinol as a function of injury severity. In all of the above experiments, the crush injury inflicted was of moderate severity. We considered the possibility that the beneficial effect of dexanabinol might be more pronounced if the number of injured fibers was lower to begin with, leaving more fibers that escaped primary injury and were vulnerable to secondary degeneration. To test this possibility, we repeated the long-term experiment but inflicted a milder injury. It was found that a single injection of 7 mg/kg resulted in a dramatic improvement in the nerve's performance.

Long-term effect of dexanabinol assessed by recording of VEP responses. VEP responses were recorded in an attempt to determine whether dexanabinol has any effect on the rescue of fibers and thus on preservation of function. All of these animals had electrodes implanted in the cortex, and then functional recovery was assessed by flashing of light onto the eye with the injured nerve. A positive VEP response was recorded in two of the seven control animals, as compared with five of the eight dexanabinol-treated injured nerves (Table 3).

From these experimental results, it is evident that the active ingredient of the present invention is effective in treating injuries to the central nervous system and consequently improving the neurological outcome from such injuries.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         VEP responses in injured nerves treated with dexanabinol,                      compared with control injured nerves                                                               Amplitude a  Latency b(msec)                               Experimental groups                                                                          n     mean ± S.E.                                                                              mean ± S.E.                                ______________________________________                                         dexanabinol   8     14.125 ± 2.423                                                                           29.0 ± 1.558                               Vehicle Control                                                                              7      7.143 ± 2.423                                                                           26.5 ± 2.527                               ______________________________________                                          a Analysis of variance: DF = 14, P = 0.0387, F = 5.284                         b Analysis of variance: DF = 12, P = 0.4029, F = 0.757. No significant         difference.                                                              

Physiological Example 6 Neuroprotection by Dexanabinol in Reversible Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60 min of temporary middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion by insertion of an intraluminal nylon suture retrogradely through the external carotid artery into the internal carotid artery and MCA. The drug (dexanabinol in oil, 20 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle, were administered in a blinded fashion 30 min prior to MCA occlusion. Animals received the following physiological monitoring: intermittent measurement of arterial PCO2, PO2 and pH; continuous measurement of arterial blood pressure; intermittent measurement of blood glucose, and monitoring of temporalis muscle temperature. Animals were allowed to survive for three days. Brains were perfusion-fixed with FAM. Paraffin-embedded coronal sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Infarct areas were measured at 11 coronal levels. At each of these levels, ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheric volume were also measured, and from the latter measurements, an index of hemispheric edema [(ipsi-contra)(contra)] was computed.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The initial design was a randomized one, in which the experimenter was blinded as to whether drug or vehicle was being given, and an attempt was made to generate approximately equal numbers of drug- and vehicle-treated animals. It became apparent that many animals failed to survive, and that they were, for the most part, vehicle-treated rats. Thus, additional animals were added to the series, and these were predominantly drug-treated, so as to obtain eventually equal numbers for statistical analysis. The final number of animals studied in this series is as follows:

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Animals surviving for                                                                             dexanabinol group, n = 7                                    histopathology     Vehicle group, n = 7                                        Non-surviving animals                                                                             dexanabinol group, n = 1                                                       Vehicle group, n = 7                                        ______________________________________                                    

RESULTS

Survival: These are indicated above in Table 4. These data were analyzed by Fisher's exact probability test, which yielded a p<0.1 suggesting a significant trend toward improved survival in HU-treated animals.

Physiological data: Essentially, there were no important differences in mean arterial blood pressure or blood gases among surviving animals treated with dexanabinol or vehicle, or non-surviving animals. Similarly, there was no difference in head temperature. One should note that in these spontaneously breathing animals, arterial PCO2 tended to be somewhat elevated in all groups.

Infarct and edema volumes: Individual and mean data are presented in Table 5. It is apparent that, with 60 min MCA occlusion, there is an extremely broad range of infarction. Nonetheless, there is a trend toward an 18% reduction in mean infarct volume with dexanabinol, as well as a 31% reduction in edema volume.

The data presented show a significant trend toward improved animal survival with dexanabinol treatment, and a moderate reduction in infarct volume in surviving animals. As noted above, if all animals had survived, and if one assumes that infarcts in the dying animals were larger than in the survivors, the data may have shown a stronger tendency for dexanabinol to reduce infarct volume. That is, dexanabinol may both increase survival in animals with very large infarcts, and at the same time, reduce infarct volume. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of dexanabinol in transient focal ischemia, which is considered a model of stroke in humans.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Infarct and edema volumes                                                              Animal No.                                                                              Infarct (mm3)                                                                              Edema (mm3)                                       ______________________________________                                         dexanabinol                                                                              1          6.2         13.0                                                    2          30.9        11.9                                                    3          32.2        -1 d                                                    4          74.0        47.9                                                    5          70.8        33.2                                                    6          127.2       30.1                                                    7          277.9       57.8                                          Mean                 89.5 (82%)* 27.5 (69%)*                                   Vehicle-treated                                                                          1          0           20.2                                                    2          20.1        19.9                                                    3          3.6         13.7                                                    4          27.1        31.9                                                    5          33.6        16.6                                                    6          295.5       125.3                                                   7          388.1       51.5                                          Mean                 109.7       39.9                                          ______________________________________                                          *% of vehicle control                                                    

Physiological Example 7 Neuroprotection Against Cerebral Ischemia in Gerbils

The compounds of the present invention were tested for their ability to prevent neurological damage in gerbils exposed to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion.

Mongolian gerbils (male), 65-70 gr (Tumblebrook Farm) underwent the ischemic procedure while anaesthetized with equithisine.

Common carotid arteries (CCA) were isolated and 3-0 silk suture material was positioned loosely round them. The tips of each loop were tied together, and the suture material was buried beside the trachea. The ventral neck incision was then sutured. In the following day, they were lightly anaesthetized with ether, the neck skin wounds were opened and both CCA were occluded for 10 minutes using small artery clips. During the ischemia and until the animals recovered (regaining righting reflexes), they were maintained in a warm state (36.5-37.5° C. rectal temperature). Thirty minutes following onset of ischemia, animals were re-anaesthetized (ether) and the appropriate drug was administered i.v. via the femoral vein.

Clinical evaluation. Three to 5 hours later, animals were observed for their clinical appearance using the Rudolphi method (Rudolphi et al., Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 7: 74, 1987). This was done every 24 hours, for the entire 96-hour period. At the end of this period, animals were anaesthetized (equithisine) and perfused transcardially with 10% formaldehyde solution.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Neurobehavioral scores in stroke model in gerbils (normal score, 0)            Neurological behavior                                                                             Score (s)                                                   ______________________________________                                         Normal             0                                                           Sleepy/lethargic   1                                                           Hyperactive        2                                                           Circling/Ptosis    3                                                           Jumping            4                                                           Tossing seizures/Ophistolonus                                                                     5                                                           Tonic convulsion   6                                                           Coma, weak pain response                                                                          7                                                           Coma, no pain response                                                                            8                                                           Death              9                                                           ______________________________________                                    

Modification of Rudolphi's Clinical Scoring Method

Histopathological evaluation. Brains were removed and stored for one week. Then, 5 mm sections were cut from the area of the dorsal hippocampus, stained with H&E and cresyl violet, and evaluated according to the following system. The number of viable pyramidal cells in the medial, middle and lateral CA1 subfield of the hippocampus we counted under ×400 magnification, along 0.4 mm in both sides.

The study paradigm was (n=10): untreated animals, vehicle treated animals (SME, 4 ml/kg i.v.); and animals treated with the test drug (8 mg/kg I.V.)

Statistics. Neuroclinical appearance was analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. The histopathological evaluation was analyzed using One-Way ANOVA followed by Duncan's Test.

RESULTS

Behavioral study: As can be seen from Table 7, the clinical status of the dexanabinol treated group showed a significantly better performance (low score, mean 2.1) compared to the vehicle treated group (mean 4.0) and untreated group (mean 8.6). The dexanabinol group showed far fewer severe signs (only one animal had severe, i.e. 5-8, scoring symptoms) compared to the control groups. Five animals from the dexanabinol treated group showed no signs at all (compared to none from the untreated group and 1 from the vehicle treated group).

Also, the decreased mortality rate (Table 8) showed a strong trend of ischemia (stroke) protection in the dexanabinol treated animals compared to the control groups.

Histopathological evaluation: The results demonstrate (Table 9) significant differences in CA1 hippocampal degeneration, due to ischemic insult, among the different treatment groups. The untreated and the vehicle treated groups were damaged far more severely than the dexanabinol treatment group.

All animals showed some damage compared to naive controls. However significantly more live cells were preserved in the dexanabinol-treated animals.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Gerbil ischemia model improved clinical outcome                                after administration of dexanabinol (8 mg/kg i.v., 0.5 h post-insult)          Treatment   Average Neurological Score ± S.E.M.                             ______________________________________                                         dexanabinol  2.1 ± 0.7*                                                     Vehicle     4.0 ± 1.3                                                       Untreated control                                                                          8.6 ± 2.9                                                       ______________________________________                                          *dexanabinol vs. untreated p < 0.01                                      

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Mortality rate in different treatment groups                                   after 10 mins bilateral CCA occlusion in Monogolian gerbils                    Untreated n = 10                                                                               Vehicle n = 10                                                                             dexanabinol n = 10                                 ______________________________________                                         % dead 30           20          0                                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Gerbil ischemia model. Improved histopathological outcome after                administration of dexanabinol (8 mg/kg i.v., 0.5 h post-insult)                Treatment   CA1 hippocampal cell count                                         ______________________________________                                         dexanabinol 102.8 ± 20                                                      Vehicle     34.9 ± 17.6**                                                   Untreated   42.1 ± 21*                                                      ______________________________________                                          *dexanabinol vs. untreated p < 0.02                                            **dexanabinol vs. vehicle p < 0.05                                       

As can be seen from the above tables, a significantly better clinical performance is observed after treatment with the active ingredient of the present invention, compared to vehicle and untreated controls.

The active ingredient of the present invention improved both neurological and histopathological outcomes of global ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil model. The two control treatments demonstrated a similar performance: severe neurological deficit and similar CA1 hippocampal degeneration.

Physiological Example 8 Neuroprotection by Dexanabinol in 4VO Model in Rats

The 4-vessel occlusion (4VO) rat model is often used as an animal model for brain ischemia, because it is relatively easy to produce and shows good reproducibility. Transient but severe global or forebrain ischemia, which occurs clinically in patients successfully resuscitated from cardiac arrest and experimentally in some animals models, causes irreversible injury to a few, specific populations of highly vulnerable neurons.

In our study, dexanabinol in hydroxypropyl-b-cytodextrin (HPCD) protects against neuronal damage caused by transient, severe forebrain ischemia in rats. The 4VO model is a more severe model of ischemia compared to the gerbil model and is usually not responsive to treatment. The effect of dexanabinol and compounds of the instant invention in this model demonstrate the utility of these compounds as neuroprotective agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley male rats (180-40.0 g) supplied by Anilab (Hulda, Israel) were used in this study. They were anesthetized using Pentothal (Abbott, Italy) for induction, with Halothane (ICI Pharmaceuticals, England), in a mixture of 70% N2 and 30% 02 for maintenance.

Two test materials were used: 45% HPCD, in water, for vehicle treatment (4 ml/kg) and dexanabinol (8 mg/kg) in 45% HPCD, in water, prepared at Pharmos Ltd. (Rehovot, Israel). Animals underwent four-vessel occlusion model (4VO) according to Pulsinelli et al. (ref) 1982:

A two-stage operation was performed:

(1) On the first day the vertebral arteries were occluded. A midline skin incision was performed above the spinal cord behind the skull occipital bone. Muscles were separated and cut until the C1 vertebra was isolated. The alar foramina are located and the vertebral arteries are coagulated via the alar foramina. Muscles and skin and closed in two layers. On the same day, the common carotid arteries (CCA) are isolated through a central neck midline incision. A loose suture material is positioned around them and the skin is closed.

(2) On the second day the CCA are occluded. The animal is anesthetized lightly (ether), the skin is opened and CCA are closed for 20 min with arterial clips.

Animals were fasted overnight between the two stages of the study (water was allowed).

Loss of righting reflex is the principal criterion for assuring severe forebrain ischemia in the 4VO model in the rat. Therefore, animals not showing this sign were not included in the study. Animals were assigned at random to a treatment group on the day of CCA occlusion.

Test material was administered i.v. 15 min before the onset of CCA occlusion. Dexanabinol was administered at a dose of 8 mg/kg or the same volume of vehicle (HPCD) was given (4 ml/kg).

Four "treatment" groups were used:

(a) Sham animals underwent occlusion of both vertebral arteries, without common carotid arteries occlusion.

(b) Control untreated animals--occlusion of both vertebral and common carotid arteries.

(c) HPCD (vehicle) treated controls--occlusion of both vertebral and common carotid arteries, animals treated with HPCD 15 min before CCA occlusion.

(d) dexanabinol (in HPCD)--occlusion of both vertebral and common carotid arteries, animals treated with HU- 211 15 min before CCA occlusion.

Body (rectal) temperature was maintained between 37-38° C. Animals were monitored for their clinical appearance at the following time periods:

(i) before vertebral occlusion

(ii) before CCA occlusion

(iii) 5 hours after CCA occlusion

(iv) 24 hours after CCA occlusion

(v) 48 hours after CCA occlusion

(vi) 72 hours after CCA occlusion

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         Neurological examination - grading scale for rats                              (four vessel occlusion global ischemia model)                                                           Normal                                                Test          Normal score                                                                              total   Deficit                                       ______________________________________                                         Equilibrium on horizontal                                                                    1 for each paw                                                                            4       0                                             bar                                                                            Grasping reflex                                                                              1 for each paw                                                                            4       0                                             Righting reflex:                                                               Righting of head when                                                                        1 for each side                                                                           2       0                                             tilted                                                                         Righting when laid on back                                                                   1          1       0                                             Spontaneous motility                                                                         2          2       1 (walk on digits)                                                             or 0 (no walking)                             Absence of forelimb flexion                                                                  1          1       0 (present)                                   Absence of thorax twisting                                                                   1          1       0 (present)                                   Absence of ptosis                                                                            1          1       0 (present)                                   Global neurological score (normal)                                                                  16                                                        ______________________________________                                    

RESULTS

It was found that the vehicle alone is indistinguishable from the control (ischemic untreated) group. The dexanabinol-treated group is significantly better than the control ischemic untreated or vehicle only groups, and is remarkably indistinguishable from sham operated animals by 72 hours after the initial surgical insult. At 48 hours post-insult, the dexanabinol treated group was already not statistically different from the sham operated group. These tests were conducted with 17 animals per group. The data shown represent overall neurological score improvement rates (i.e. difference between normal score which is 16 and the score at the time of examination). Note that in the Duncan Multiple Range Test for each time increment where a measurement was taken, the difference between the sham group and the HU group decreased, eventually reaching zero after 72 hours. Therefore, dexanabinol and compounds of the instant invention may be useful in the management of post-ischemic events in patients suffering from neurological trauma. This model is particularly relevant to global ischemia, such as that associated with cardiac arrest.

Physiological Example 9 Anti-Hypoxic Effects of Dexanabinol Analogs

Exposure of mice to a hypobaric atmosphere (200 mmHg) results in death within a few minutes in normal, untreated animals. Not only MK-801 but also diazepam and pentobarbital are known to prolong survival of animals in this more general model. Dexanabinol significantly increased survival time at doses as low as 2 and 5 mg/kg i.p. (in MCT oil). The reduced stereospecific analog of dexanabinol, denoted HU-251 (Devane et al., J. Exp. Med. 2065-2069, 1992) was as effective as 211 in this system.

Hypobaric anoxia was used as a test system for screening the neuroprotective effects of all novel compounds including dexanabinol phosphate and dexanabinol succinate. The experimental paradigm was derived from that described by Gotti (Gotti & Depoortere, Congres Circ. Cerebrale, Toulouse, 105-107, 1979). Briefly, mice in groups of 5 were placed in a chamber which was equilibrated at an atmospheric pressure of 200 mmHg (by evacuation via a vacuum pump). The mice were observed until they stopped breathing and the time was recorded for each mouse. The test compounds were administered 45 min before introducing the animals into the chamber. In all cases the experiment was performed in a masked vehicle controlled study to avoid bias on the part of the observer. Each mouse received the test compound dissolved in MCT oil or the appropriate buffered aqueous solution intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg/kg, or the vehicle alone. The results clearly indicate a statistically significant increase of survival time in animals pretreated with the compounds of the present invention (Table 11).

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                         Antihypoxic activity of dexanabinol analogs 5 mg/kg i.p.                       Compound tested                                                                               Vehicle      Survival (sec)                                     ______________________________________                                         Non-treated    --           123 ± 33                                        dexanabinol    MCT oil       425 ± 130                                      HU-251         MCT oil      412 ± 94                                        dexanabinol succinate                                                                         Tris buffer  433 ± 58                                        dexanabinol succinate                                                                         Bicarbonate buffer                                                                           601 ± 206                                      dexanabinol phosphate                                                                         Tris buffer  471 ± 75                                        ______________________________________                                    

The groups included at least five animals per test compound. None of the vehicles had any significant effect on survival.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to various specific embodiments thereof in order to illustrate it, such specifically disclosed embodiments should not be considered limiting. Many other specific embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art based upon applicants' disclosure herein, and applicants propose to be bound only by the spirit and scope of their invention as defined in the appended claims.

Physiological Example 9 Stability of Dexanabinol Esters

Water (pH 5.6-5.7) and plasma (rat, dog, human) were used as media for stability studies.

Sample preparation and incubation conditions. Compounds were dissolved in water or 10% (vol/vol) ethanol:water to concentrations of 2.0-7.3 mg/mL and 20 mL of the resulting solutions were added to 180 mL of water or freshly collected plasma to final concentrations of 200-730 mg/mL. The mixtures were incubated at 37° C. for 1 h and 24 h. Samples were then extracted by addition of acetonitrile (3 vol) followed by vortexing and immediate centrifugation (Ependorf centrifuge). Aliquots of the organic (upper) phase were analyzed by HPLC. Zero-time determinations were performed by extracting the solution with acetonitrile immediately following the dissolving of the samples. Amounts of dexanabinol resulting by hydrolysis of the examined esters (as mg and %) were determined by using a calibration curve. Average values for 3 experiments were reported.

Analytical Methodology. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for quantitative analysis of dexanabinol. The HPLC consisted of a Kontron 410 solvent delivery system, Kontron 430 UV detector (variable wavelength: channel 1 at 232 nm; channel 2 at 283 nm), Kontron 450-data system. The column was Econosphere C18 (100 mm×4.6 mm 3 mm (Alltech) equipped with column guard (Alltech). The mobile phase was: acetonitrile: pH 3 aqueous phosphate buffer (KH2PO4-H3PO4, 0.01 M): 60:40. Flow rate 0.7-1.5 mL/min. Detection and quantitation was performed at two wavelengths (230 and 280 nm) in parallel. Retention time of dexanabinol was in the range 3.5-4.5 min.

Assay Validation. The main aspect of assay validation was to assess that linearity is unaffected by the extraction from biological fluid and that the recovery is high and reproducible. Spiking experiments in which a known amount of dexanabinol (1) (10 mL of the acetonitrile solution) was injected to plasma in the whole range of the calibration course were performed. The plasma was then extracted as described. Calibration curves were drawn in water and various plasma. A 100% recovery was obtained from plasma.

Stability: The stability of the esters in water and plasma (rat, dog, human) was determined. Dexanabinol which resulted by hydrolysis was quantitated by HPLC at zero-time and after 1 hour and 24 hours of incubation at 37° C. in the appropriate matrix. The results are summarized in Table 12. The compounds of Synthetic Examples 3, 7, and 8 are soluble in water (at least 2-7 mg/mL) while the compound of Synthetic Example 5 and its hydrochloride salt are soluble in 10% (vol/vol) aqueous ethanol. The results indicate that the glycinate salt (Synthetic Example 3) is relatively stable in all the examined media. In human plasma less than 1% dexanabinol was released after 1 hour and about 22% in 24 hours. The dialkylglycinate (N,N-dimethyl, Synthetic Example 5, and N,N-diethyl, Synthetic Example 6) salts are even more stable than the glycinate salt in all media with the most stable product being the N,N-diethylglycinate which was not hydrolyzed at all in water and only poorly in human plasma. A different profile was observed with the quaternary nitrogen containing compounds of Synthetic Examples 7 and 8 (trimethylammonium- and triethylammoniumacetyl bromides, respectively). While fairly stable in water (6-7% hydrolysis in 24 hours) both of these compounds readily hydrolyzed in plasma of various sources including human. Of particular interest is compound of Synthetic Example 7 which rapidly hydrolyzed in human plasma (92% and 100% at 1 hour and 24 hours, respectively). The triethylammonium homolog also appears to be completely hydrolyzed after 1 hour, since the same amount of dexanabinol (˜68%) was recovered after both 1 hour and 24 hours of incubation.

                                      TABLE 12                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Stability of amino acid-type esters of dexanabinol (HU-211)                                   Dexanabinol                                                                    Recovered                                                       Time    Water  Rat Plasma                                                                             Dog Plasma                                                                             Human Plasma                                    Comp.                                                                               (h)                                                                               μg mL                                                                           %  μg mL                                                                           %   μg/mL                                                                           %   μg/mL                                                                           %                                           __________________________________________________________________________     3    0  *   *  *   *   *   *   *   *                                                1  0.66                                                                               0.40                                                                              *   *   1.44                                                                               0.88                                                                               1.54                                                                               0.95                                             24 7.52                                                                               4.64                                                                              *   *   26.71                                                                              16.49                                                                              36.17                                                                              22.32                                       5    0  8.29                                                                               ** 0.00                                                                               **  0.00                                                                               **  0.00                                                                               **                                               1  8.62                                                                               ** 21.83                                                                              **  0.00                                                                               **  10.39                                                                              **                                               24 11.27                                                                              ** 202.36                                                                             **  1.16                                                                               **  18.84                                                                              **                                          6    0  0.00                                                                               ** 0.00                                                                               **  0.00                                                                               **  0.00                                                                               **                                               1  0.00                                                                               ** 5.25                                                                               **  0.00                                                                               **  0.00                                                                               **                                               24 0.00                                                                               ** 9.73                                                                               **  1.16                                                                               **  0.77                                                                               **                                          7    0  1.55                                                                               1.82                                                                              0.00                                                                                0.00                                                                              0.00                                                                               0.00                                                                               0.00                                                                               0.00                                             1  1.69                                                                               1.88                                                                              90.18                                                                              105.80                                                                             91.84                                                                              107.74                                                                             78.36                                                                              91.92                                            24 6.40                                                                               7.52                                                                              104.60                                                                             122.72                                                                             95.60                                                                              112.15                                                                             89.63                                                                              105.15                                      8    0  7.84                                                                               1.76                                                                              *   *   *   *   *   *                                                1  16.24                                                                              3.64                                                                              223.70                                                                              50.20                                                                             258.20                                                                             57.90                                                                              301.84                                                                             67.70                                            24 27.72                                                                              6.21                                                                              284.20                                                                              63.70                                                                             309.90                                                                             69.50                                                                              302.40                                                                             67.80                                       __________________________________________________________________________      *not available                                                                 **% not calculated                                                       

Physiological Example 11 Activity of Dexanabinol Esters

Prodrugs are by definition inactive combinations which are activated to release the parent drug following in vivo hydrolysis. However, based on the aforementioned considerations it has been of interest to determine if the water-soluble esters of Synthetic Examples 3-8 possess intrinsic activity.

Three different assays were employed to determine the activity and toxicity of these combinations: a) NMDA receptor binding as measured by agonist displacement b) in vitro protection of neurons against NMDA-induced toxicity and c) neuronal cell toxicity potential. As shown in Physiological Example 1, dexanabinol inhibits the binding of [3H]-TCP and [3H]-MK-801, two noncompetitive NMDA antagonists, to the activated state of the NMDA receptor channel and the binding of tritiated MK-801 to rat forebrain membranes. Also, incubation with NMDA (100-1000 mM) in cortical neuron cultures from fetal rat brains grown over a feeder layer of glial cells resulted in death of 50-60% of the cells within 24 hrs. When dexanabinol, at a concentration of 1-10 mM was co-incubated with neurons exposed to NMDA, cell death was reduced or totally prevented in a dose dependent manner. This effect was similar in appearance and magnitude to the effect of the classical noncompetitive NMDA antagonist, MK-801. At the same time, dexanabinol proved not to be toxic to the host cells in these assays.

The water soluble dexanabinol esters of Synthetic Examples 3-8 were subjected to these tests. No hydrolysis was expected to occur during receptor binding determinations given the system configurations. Since, assays b and c required a longer incubation time, some hydrolysis of the esters during the experiments was possible. However, no dexanabinol could be detected in the cultures. The results are collected in Table 13.

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                         Activity of water-soluble derivatives of dexanabinol                                  Inhibition of [.sup.3 H] MK-                                                                 Protection against                                               801 binding   NMDA toxicity                                                                % Inhib.          % Prot.                                   Compound IC.sub.50, μM                                                                         at 100 μM                                                                             EC.sub.50, μM                                                                       at 10 μM                               ______________________________________                                         1        5         --        --       63-108                                   5        15-20     85        --      18                                        6        58        63        --      30                                        7        6.8-9.6   79-88     2-5     100                                       8        16.5-19   87-89     5       100-136                                   ______________________________________                                    

The data indicate that all compounds except for 7-diethylaminoacetyl dexanabinol have relatively good NMDA receptor binding properties, with IC50s varying between 6.8 and 20 mM as compared to 5 mM for dexanabinol. The inhibition of [3H] MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor was 80-90% at a concentration of 1 of 100 mM. The quaternary ammonium type derivatives of Synthetic Examples 7 and 8 are the most effective in protection against NMDA mediated cell death, while at the same time, void of cell toxicity (EC50, 2-5 mM 100% protection at 10 mM concentration). The compounds of Synthetic Examples 5 and 6 proved not to be protective against NMDA toxicity; moreover, the latter was toxic to neurons in 2 out of 3 experiments. It is interesting that the compound of Synthetic Example 5 is the first among the examined derivatives which is a potent [3H] MK-801 binding inhibitor (IC50 15-20 mM) but is not protective against NMDA toxicity (18% protection at 10 mM concentration), although it is not toxic in and of itself (0% mortality of neuronal cells caused by 10 mM).

7-Bromoacetyldexanabinol was tested and found to be was protective against NMDA toxicity (100% protection) and inhibited MK-801 binding (IC50 13-15 mM; % of inhibition 83%) but in some experiments caused significant cell mortality.

In summary the results of this study indicate that the two quaternary ammonium type derivatives, the trimethyl- and triethyl-ammonium acetates are the most promising among the examined glycinate esters. Both derivatives readily hydrolyze in human plasma, and are relatively soluble and stable in water. The two compounds also have good receptor binding properties, manifest protection against NMDA induced toxicity, and are void of neuronal toxicity. Importantly, activity and toxicity properties for derivatives such as those of Synthetic Examples 7 or 8 may not be relevant since they are targeted to be used as prodrugs which rapidly release the parent combination. However, the data are of interest from QSAR point of view. While the compounds of Synthetic Examples 3, 5, and 6 appear to be too stable in human plasma to be used as prodrugs and their activity-toxicity profile does not show an improvement as compared to dexanabinol, the esters of Synthetic Examples 7 and 8 appear to be promising prodrug candidates. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the general formula ##STR8## having the (3S,4S) configuration and being essentially free of the (3R,4R) enantiomer, wherein A--B indicates an optional 1(2) or 6(1) double bond,R is(a) --Q wherein Q is a heterocyclic moiety having a labile hydrogen atom so that said moiety acts an a carboxylic acid group, (b) --R³ X wherein R³ is C1-C5 alkyl and X is(a') halogen, (a") --OR' wherein R' is C1-C5 alkyl, (a'") --OC(O)R'" wherein R'" is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl, (a"") --OC(O)--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ is a linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, or heterocyclyl radical, said radical optionally including a hydroxyl or halogen substituent and Y is --OH, --C(O)O⁻ B⁺, --SO₃ ⁻ B⁺, or --OPO₃ ²⁻ (B⁺)₂ wherein B⁺ is a cation of an alkali metal or ammonia or is an organic ammonium cation, --N(R'")₂.AH, --N(R'")₃ ⁺ A⁻, or a cyclic nitrogen radical selected from the group consisting of ##STR9## wherein R'" is as defined above, D is CH₂, O, or NR'", (B⁺)₂ may additionally be an alkaline earth metal cation, and A is a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic anion, (b') --OC(O)O--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above, (c') --OC(O)NH--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above, (d') --OC(O)--R⁴ ZR⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above and Z is O, S, SO, SO₂, or NH, (e') --C(NH₂ ⁺)--R⁴ A⁻ wherein R⁴ and A are as defined above, (f') --OPO₃ ²⁻ (B⁺)₂ wherein B⁺ is as defined above, or (g') --OH, (c) --R³ N(R")₂ wherein R³ is as defined above and each R", which may be the same or different, is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl which may optionally contain a terminal --OR'" or --OC(O)R'" moiety wherein R'" is as defined above, (d) --R⁵ wherein R⁵ is C2-C5 alkyl, or, when A--B is absent, (e) --R³ OR'" wherein R³ and R'" are as defined above, G is(a) a halogen, (b) C1-C5 alkyl, (c) --OR" wherein R" is as previously defined, (d) --OC(O)R'" wherein R'" is as previously defined, or (e) --OR³ X wherein R³ and X are as defined above, provided that X in the definition of G may not be --OH when X in the definition of R is --OH, and R² is(a) C1-C12 alkyl, (b) --OR"", in which R"" is a straight chain or branched C2-C9 alkyl which may be substituted at the terminal carbon atom by a phenyl group, or (c) --(CH₂)₂ OR'" wherein n is an integer of 1 to 7 and R'" is as defined above;provided that G is not --OH when R is CH₂ OH, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or quaternary ammonium compounds thereof.
 2. A compound as in claim 1 of the general formula ##STR10## having the (3S,4S) configuration and being essentially free of the (3R,4R) enantiomer, wherein A--B indicates an optional 1(2) or 6(1) double bond,R is(a) --Q wherein Q is a heterocyclic moiety having a labile hydrogen atom so that said moiety acts as a carboxylic acid group, (b) --R³ X wherein R³ is C1-C5 alkyl and X is halogen, --OR' wherein R' is C1-C5 alkyl, or --OC (O)R'" wherein R'" is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl, (c) --R³ N(R")₂ wherein R³ is as defined above and each R", which may be the same or different, is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl which may optionally contain a terminal --OR'" or --OC(O)R'" moiety wherein R'" is as defined above, (d) --R⁵ wherein R⁵ is C2-C5 alkyl, or, when A--B is absent, (e) --R³ OR'" wherein R³ and R'" are as defined above, G is(a) a halogen, (b) C1-C5 alkyl, (c) --OR" wherein R" is as previously defined, provided that R" in the definition of F may not --OH when X in the definition of R is --OH, or (d) --OC(O)R'" wherein R'" is as previously defined, and R² is(a) C1-C12 alkyl, (b) --OR"", in which R"" is a straight chain or branched C2-C9 alkyl which may be substituted at the terminal carbon atom by a phenyl group, or (c) --(CH₂)₂ OR'" wherein n is an integer of 1 to 7 and R'" is as previously defined, andpharmaceutically acceptable salts or quaternary ammonium compound thereof.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 in which G is hydroxy and R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl or 1,2-dimethylheptyl.
 4. A compound according to claim 2 wherein Q is a saturated or unsaturated ring of 4 to 8 members of C, N, S, or O, optionally substituted with a --COR'" or --C(O)OR'" moiety wherein R'" is as previously defined.
 5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein Q is tetrazol-5-yl.
 6. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R² is --OR"".
 7. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R² is --CH₂)₂ OR'".
 8. A compound according to claim 2 wherein A--B is a 6(1) double bond, R is R³ OR', and G is --OH.
 9. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R is R³ and G is --OH.
 10. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R is --R³ X.
 11. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R is --R³ N(R")₂.
 12. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R is R⁵.
 13. A compound according to claim 2 wherein G is --OR".
 14. A compound according to claim 2 wherein A--B is absent, G is --OH, and R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl.
 15. A compound of the general formula ##STR11## having the (3S,4S) configuration and being essentially free of the (3R,4R) enantiomer, wherein A--B indicates an optional 1(2) or 6(1) double bond,R is --R³ X wherein R³ is C1-C5 alkyl and X is(a) --OC(O)--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ is a linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, or heterocyclyl radical, said radical optionally including a hydroxyl or halogen substituent, and Y is --H, --OH, --C(O)O⁻ B⁺, --SO₃ ⁻ B⁺, or --OPO₃ ²⁻ (B⁺)₂ wherein B⁺ is a cation of an alkali metal or ammonia or is an organic ammonium cation,--N(R'")₂.AH, --N(R'")₃ ⁺ A⁻, or a cyclic nitrogen radical selected from the group consisting of ##STR12## wherein R'" is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl, D is CH₂, O, or NR'", (B⁺)₂ may additionally be an alkaline earth metal cation, and A is a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic anion, (b) --OC(O)O--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above, (c) --OC(O)NH--R⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above, (d) --OC(O)--R⁴ ZR⁴ Y wherein R⁴ and Y are as defined above and Z is O, S, SO, SO₂, or NH, (e) --C(NH₂ ⁺)--R4A⁻ wherein R⁴ and A are as defined above, (f) --OPO₃ ²⁻ (B⁺)₂ wherein B⁺ is as defined above, or (g) --OH, G is(a) a halogen, (b) C1-C5 alkyl, or (c) --OR" wherein R" is as previously defined, (d) --OC(O)R'" wherein R'" is as previously defined, (e) X, or (f) --OR³ X wherein R³ and X are as defined above, provided that X in the definition of G may not be --OH when X in the definition of R is --OH, and R² is(a) C1 -C12 alkyl, (b) --OR"", in which R"" is a straight chain or branched C2-C9 alkyl which may be substituted at the terminal carbon atom by a phenyl group, or (c) --(CH₂)₂ OR'" wherein n is an integer of 1 to 7 and R'" is as defined above;provided that G is not --OH when R is CH₂ OH, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or quaternary ammonium compound thereof.
 16. A compound according to claim 15 in which G is hydroxy and R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl or 1,2-dimethylheptyl.
 17. A compound according to claim 15 wherein one of X and G is --OC(O)CH₂ NH₂.HCl, --OC(O)CH₂ N(CH₃)₂.HCl, --OC(O)CH₂ N(C₂ H₅)₂.HCl, --OC(O)CH₂ N(CH₃)₃ +Br⁻, --OC(O)CH₂ N(C₂ H₅)₃ ⁺ Br⁻, morpholinoacetyloxy (hydrobromide), morpholinoacetyloxy quaternized with methyliodide, ω-morpholinobutyroyloxy (hydrobromide), ω-morpholinobutyroyloxy quaternized with methyliodide, N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy (dihydrobromide), N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy diquaternized with methyliodide, ω-(N-methylpiperazino)butyroyloxy (dihydrobromide), nicotinoyloxy (hydrochloride), nicotinoyloxy quaternized with methylchlorate, succinoyloxy (monoammonium salt), maleoyloxy (monoammonium salt), phthaloyloxy (monoammonium salt), 2-quinolinoyloxy (monoammonium salt), acetyloxy, bromoacetyloxy, trifluoroacetyloxy, or disodium phosphoroyloxy.
 18. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl, G is --OH, and R is --CH₂ OC(O)CH₂ NH₂.HCl, --CH₂ OC(O)CH₂ N(CH₃)₂ -HCl, --CH₂ OC(O)CH₂ N (C₂ H₅)₂.HCl, --CH₂ OC(O)CH₂ N(CH₃)₃ ⁺ Br⁻, --CH₂ OC(O)CH₂ N(C₂ H₅)₃ ⁺ Br⁻, morpholinoacetyloxymethylene (hydrobromide), morpholinoacetyloxymethylene quaternized with methyliodide, ω-morpholinobutyroyloxymethylene (hydrobromide), ω-morpholinobutyroyloxymethylene quaternized with methyliodide, N-methylpiperazino-acetyloxymethylene (dihydrobromide), N-methylpiperazino-acetyloxymethylene diquaternized with methyliodide, ω-(N-methylpiperazino)butyroyloxymethylene (dihydrobromide), nicotinoyloxyethylene (hydrochloride), nicotinoyloxymethylene quaternized with methylchlorate, succinoyloxyethylene (monoammonium salt), maleoyloxymethylene (monoammonium salt), phthaloyloxymethylene (monoamionium salt), 2-quinolinoyloxymethylene (monoammonium salt), acetyloxymethylene, bromoacetyloxymethylene, trifluoroacetyloxymethylene, or disodium phosphoroyloxymethylene.
 19. A compound according to claim 15 wherein R² is 1,1-dimethylheptyl, R is --CH₂ OH, and G is ω-morpholinobutyroyloxy (hydrobromide), N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy (dihydrobromide), N-methylpiperazinoacetyloxy diquaternized with methyliodide, or disodium phosphoryloxy.
 20. A compound according to claim 15 wherein A--B is a 6(1) double bond, R is R³ X wherein R³ is as defined above and X is as defined in (a), and G is --OH.
 21. A compound according to claim 20 wherein X is acetyloxy, trifluoroacetyloxy, glycyloxy, 4-(4-morpholinyl)butyroyloxy, 4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-butroyloxy succinoyloxy, maleoyloxy, phthaloyloxy, or 3-carboxy-2-pyridinecarbonyloxy, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts or quaternary ammonium compounds thereof.
 22. A method for treating injuries to the central nervous system by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1, 2, or
 15. 23. A method as in claim 22 wherein A--B designates a 1(2) or 6(1) double bond, R is lower alkyl of 1-3 carbon atoms or CH₂ OH, G is hydroxy or an acyloxy group, and R² is (a) a straight or branched C6-C12 alkyl radical or (b) a group OR² in which R³ is a straight or branched C5-C9 alkyl radical optionally substituted at the terminal carbon atom by a phenyl group.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein said compound is administered in a manner to protect against excitatory amino acid-mediated neurotoxicity.
 25. The method of claim 22 which comprises administering said compound to a patient who exhibits the symptoms associated with neural necrosis due to edema, neural necrosis due to cerebral ischemia, neural necrosis due to head trauma, poisoning of the central nervous system, cardiac arrest, stroke, optic neuropathy, or spinal cord injury.
 26. The method of claim 22 which comprises administering said compound to a patient who exhibits the symptoms associated with epilepsy, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease.
 27. A method for blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in a patient which comprises administering to said patient, in a manner calculated to block said receptors in a stereospecific manner, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1, 2, or
 15. 28. A method as in claim 27 wherein A--B designates a 1(2) or 6(1) double bond, R designates a CH₂ OH, G designates hydroxy or an acyloxy group and R² designates (A) a straight or branched C6-C12 alkyl radical; (B) a group --O--R³, in which R³ is a straight or branched C5-C9 alkyl radical optionally substituted at the terminal carbon atom by a phenyl group.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein said compound is administered in a manner to protect against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor mediated neurotoxicity.
 30. The method of claim 27 which comprises administering said compound to a patient who exhibits the symptoms associated with neural necrosis due to edema, neural necrosis due to cerebral ischemia, neural necrosis due to head trauma, poisoning of the central nervous system, cardiac arrest, or stroke.
 31. The method of claim 27 which comprises administering said compound to a patient who exhibits the symptoms associated with epilepsy, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease.
 32. A method according to claim 22 or 27 in which said pharmaceutical composition includes a carrier or diluent.
 33. The method of claim 32 which comprises selecting the carrier or diluent to be an aqueous cosolvent solution comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable cosolvent, a micellar solution prepared with natural or synthetic ionic or non-ionic surfactants, or a combination of such cosolvent and micellar solutions.
 34. The method of claim 32 which comprises selecting the carrier to be a solution of ethanol, a surfactant, and water.
 35. The method of claim 32 which comprises selecting the carrier to be an emulsion comprising a triglycerides, lecithin, glycerol, an emulsifier, an antioxidant, and water.
 36. A method according to claim 22 or 27 wherein the daily dosage of said compound is between 0.1 and 25 mg/kg. 